Shane Preuss, Research Intern at the ASEAN Studies Center, Universitas Gadjah Mada

ASEAN’s strength is demonstrated by its ‘convening power’ and its ability to attract the courtship of the world’s great powers. However, these strengths also present challenges, as ASEAN must not only navigate its relations of these powers, but also the various relationships of its individual members with respective powers. In light of this, significant commentary has been dedicated to the threat of rising US-China tensions for ASEAN’s unity and coherence. These tensions, often centered on the South China Sea dispute, are set to amplify as President-Elect Trump establishes a firm, even aggressive position toward China.

There is, however, another great power in the region, whose increasingly eager courtship of ASEAN, combined with its complex and evolving relations with both China and the USA, is set to play a significant role in the region’s geopolitics; Russia.  

The Origins of ASEAN-Russian Cooperation

Russia became a full dialogue partner of ASEAN in 1996 and signed the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) in 2004. It has since gained membership of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), the Post Ministerial Conferences (PMCs) 10+1, ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus and the East Asia Summit. The First ASEAN-Russia summit was held in 2005, and the second in 2010. The third Russia-ASEAN summit to commemorate the 20th anniversary of their dialogue relations was held in Sochi, in 2016.

Despite these developments, Russia-ASEAN relations have remained relatively unfruitful and Putin has shown a lack of interest in the region. This has been evidenced by his lack of presence at the East Asia Summit, the modest level of achievement yielded by first ten years of the Russia-ASEAN action plan, and the relatively low level of trade with ASEAN, especially when compared to other major powers, China and the USA.

In 2016, however, there were clear indications that this trend is beginning to shift. Russia is now eagerly engaging with the regional body and its member states. Over the two days of the Third ASEAN-Russia Summit, from May 19-20, Russia held bi-lateral members with every ASEAN member. The summit culminated in the announcement of a ‘Comprehensive Plan of Action’ to promote a cooperation between ASEAN and Russia in the areas of political-security, economic, socio-cultural and development cooperation. This increase in diplomatic activity was followed on December 23, when the UN General Assembly approved, by consensus, a Russian co-authored resolution, for Cooperation between the UN and ASEAN.

At the 2016 Russian-ASEAN ministerial conference, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov outlined Russia’s approach to security, while recognizing, and supporting ASEAN’s centrality in the region. Russia, he said is building ‘a modern security architecture in Asia-Pacific,’ while ‘staunchly and consistently’ defending the role of ASEAN in regional affairs.

In the first week of 2017, two Russian warships Russia also made a visit to the Philippines. Eduard Mikhailov, deputy commander of Russia’s Pacific Fleet, signaled Russia’s desire to cooperate on military exercises in the South China Sea, with the Philippines, other ASEAN states, such as Malaysia, as well as China.  The expression of interest was well received and it was announced on Monday, 9th of January 2017, the Philippines and Russia and are in the process of finalizing a security deal, which allows the countries leaders to exchange of visits and observe military drills.

Philippine Defense Minister Delfin Lorenzana said the MOU between the countries opens the prospect for joint exercises. However, he also assured Washington the military agreements will not permit the rotational deployment of Russia troops and is not comparable to the Mutual Defence Treaty between the Philippines and the USA. Nevertheless. the development is significant on the back of President Duterte angry outbursts against President Obama and his decision to scale back military ties with his countries traditional ally while deepening engagement with China and Russia.

Russia has also begun developing regional economic agreements throughout Asia. The Russian-led, Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), compromised of several former Soviet states, was established in 2015 and has already signed a free trade agreement with Vietnam and memoranda of cooperation with Cambodia and Singapore. ASEAN and Russia also agreed to launch a joint feasibility study of a comprehensive free trade area between ASEAN and EAEU.

Great Power Relations and the Future of ASEAN

Russia approaches to ASEAN and ASEAN states are part of a broader pivot to Asia, which, while effectively announced several years ago, began to take shape in 2016.  In addition to the strengthening ties with ASEAN, Russia has also sought to deepen its partnership with China. In June 2016 the EAEU and China signed a joint declaration on the negotiation of a trade and economic cooperation agreement and reach an agreement to integrate activities of the EAEU with China’s Silk Road Economic Belt.

Russia’s decision to look East for new economic and security partnerships must be understood within the context of the Kremlin’s increasing estrangement from Western powers. While not necessarily, or causally, connected, Russia’s annexation of Crimea and the ensuing sanctions imposed by the West has marked a major rift in their international relations. This will considerably reshape Russia’s strategic posture and leanings for the coming years.

It remains to be seen what lasting effects recent will tensions between the US and Russia have on the relations between the two powers. These include allegations of Russian interference in 2016 US elections and Obama’s decision to retaliate by expelling 35 Russia diplomats. Putin received plaudits for his strategic nous for deciding not to retaliate, and, instead, express his intention to wait for the Trump Presidency to begin before making any decisions on the future of US-Russia relations.

However, while Trump and Putin appear to have shared warm relations over the election period, it is uncertain whether Trump will maintain this tone during his time in office. In light of these uncertainties, Russia’s increasing engagement with ASEAN and ASEAN members, coupled with its evolving and shifting relationships with other major powers, will be a major point of interest in the study of ASEAN geopolitics.

Arrizka Permata Faida

Best 10 Author of Call for Essay: ASEAN Community Post 2015

The establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in 2015 is a major milestone in the regional economic integration agenda in ASEAN.  With population over 622 million people and a nominal combined GDP of US$2.6 trillion in 2014² is fast becoming a major economic force in Asia and a driver of global growth. ASEAN has become the third largest economy in Asia and the seventh in the world. ASEAN become more influential, with widening markets regionally and globally. This essay focus on AEC fourth pillar³ refers to integration with the global economy to become strength as a region in economy and sustainable in needs to respond to global trends and be proactive in seizing new opportunities toward global market integration.

Introduction

Following the successful implementation of the AFTA, the ASEAN Leaders adopted the ASEAN Economic Blueprint as a master plan guiding the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community 2015. The stated goal is a regional economic integration – a single market and production base and the free movement of goods, services and labor. ASEAN economic integration effort contributed fundamentally to the regional economic foundation, ensuring the continuing strong performance of our national and regional economies.

External Economic Relationship

In globalization era, the forms of external relations have become more important. ASEAN possesses immense growth potential and is a notable global hub of manufacturing and trade, as well as one of the fastest-growing consumer markets in the world.

AKFTA is focusing to strengthen economic, trade and investment cooperation by progressively liberalizing and promoting trade in goods and services as well as create a transparent, liberal and facilitative investment regime. ⁴

In  trade of goods and service, imports  from  ASEAN to Korea make  up  about  10%  of  Korea’s  total  inbound  shipments, the top items imported from ASEAN have a much higher share compared to world  imports  in  terms  of  amount.  It is possible to assess that ASEAN is an important trade partner. Korea stood at the 7th largest trading country, and ASEAN represents an important trading partner (for Primary Products as table above) for Korea. Korea’s total trade volume with ASEAN in 2014 amounted to $138 billion USD, making ASEAN Korea’s second largest trading partner, after China at $235.4 billion USD. Out of Korea’s total 2014 trade volume of $1,098.2 billion USD, ASEAN’s share was 12.6%, only after China at 21.4%.

Figure 1. Korea’s Import Item from ASEAN by Industry (1990~2009)

The EU was ASEAN’s second largest trading partner after China in 2013. With the portion for around 13% of ASEAN trade. ASEAN is the EU’s 3rd largest trading partner outside Europe (after the US and China) with more than €246 billion of trade in goods and services in 2014.⁵ The EU is by far the largest investor in ASEAN countries accounting for 22% of total FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) inflows in the region. EU companies have invested an average €19 billion annually in the region (2012-2014). The main imports from ASEAN to the EU are machinery and transport equipment, agricultural products as well as textiles and clothing.

Figure 2. EU-ASEAN Negotiations History

The EU makes a negotiations with individual ASEAN Member States in different year, but also cooperates with the ASEAN region as a whole.⁶ EU and ASEAN as two leading regional integration initiatives partnering in integration and connectivity.⁷

The US is the 3rd largest trading partner for ASEAN. ASEAN investment in the US has grown over 1,400% and US investment in ASEAN has increased 169% since 2001. US investment in ASEAN is almost $190 billion exceeding all other destinations in Asia, while ASEAN investment into the US exceeds $27 billion. The importance of America’s current and future relationship with ASEAN mutually beneficial growth will require greater investments in America’s political, economic, and diplomatic engagement with ASEAN. Recognizing its geostrategic importance, the US cooperates with ASEAN and its member states on a multitude of initiatives ensuring security and stability in the region. ASEAN investment in the US is growing much faster than the investment coming from other regions.

Figure 3. US-Asia Direct Investment,through 2012

Participation in global supply networks

 ASEAN requires an integrated approach to connectivity. To enhance participation in global supply networks by:

• Adoption of international standards and regulation in production and distribution
• Developing a comprehensive package of technical [efficient logistics and distribution services] to upgrade industrial capabilities and productivity. ⁸
• Optimize their production process (from raw materials to finished products) through outsourcing and offshoring of activities at competitive cost and quality.

Conclusion

A competitive economic region is a connected region. ASEAN is one of the largest economic zones in the world; a growing hub of consumer demand. Process toward global market integration has shown. Global market integration could potentially combine to produce opportunities and generate challenges,that is higher costs, or complicated regulations to ASEAN countries. That will help to improve the living standards of the ASEAN population through economic development. ASEAN also intends to improve global supply networks, as well as expand trade, and improve transportation and infrastructure.

REFERENCES

Burnson, Patrick. ASEAN is Refining Supply Chain Networks. Accessed on October 29. http://www.scmr.com/article/asean_is_refining_supply_chain_networks

Cheong, Jaewan. Korea’s Intermediate Goods Trade with ASEAN. Accessed on October 28. http://www.ide.go.jp/English/Publish/Download/Brc/pdf/05_chapter4.pdf

European Commission. Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN). Accessed on October 28. http://ec.europa.eu/trade/

European External Action Service. The EU-ASEAN relationship in twenty facts and figures. Accessed on October 29. http://eeas.europa.eu/archives/docs/asean/docs/key_facts_figures_eu_asean_en.pdf

Supply Chain Asia. Building Resilient ASEAN Supply Chains. Retrieved on October 29. http://supplychainasia.org/building-resilient-asean-supply-chains/

The East-West Center. ASEAN MATTERS FOR AMERICA/ AMERICA MATTERS FOR ASEAN. Retrieved on October 28. www.AsiaMattersforAmerica.org/ASEAN

Vinayak HV, Fraser Thompson, and Oliver Tonby. Understanding ASEAN: Seven things you need to know. Retrieved on October 28. http://www.mckinsey.com/industries/public-sector/our-insights/understanding-asean-seven-things-you-need-to-know

AEC                           ASEAN Economic Community

AFTA                         ASEAN Free Trade Agreement

AKFTA                     ASEAN-Korea Free Trade Area

ASEAN                     Association of Southeast Asian Nations

EU                              European Union

¹  : Student at Department of Management, School of Business and Management, Bandung Institute of Technology

² : ASEAN. ASEAN Economic Community. Accessed October 26,2016. http://asean.org/asean-economic-community/

³ : The 4 pillars are a single market and production base; a competitive economic region; equitable economic development; and integration with the global economy.

4 It also aims to explore new areas and develop appropriate measures for closer economic cooperation and integration; facilitate more effective economic integration of the new ASEAN Member States and bridge the development gaps; and, establish a cooperative framework to further strengthen economic relations among the countries. Retrieved from : http://akfta.asean.org/index.php?page=background-of-akfta

⁵Data retrieved from: European Commission Website. http://ec.europa.eu

⁶ Framed by a biannual ASEAN-EU Trade and Investment Work Program

⁷ In February 2014, the ASEAN Connectivity Coordination Committee visited the EU.

⁸ To achieve this requires support for physical infrastructure as well as improving cross-border agreements and institutional connectivity.

 

Shane Preuss, Research Intern at ASEAN Studies Center, Gadjah Mada University

One year after the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community, it is important to ask what relevance the political events, which have occurred in Europe and the USA this year, hold for ASEAN integration. These events have seen reassertions of national identity and the exaltations of the nation-state as a defense against supra-nationalism and globalization.  

How can we reflect on ASEAN’s slogan of regional integration, “One vision, One identity, One community” in light of Brexit, rising Euroskepticism and the election of Trump in USA?

The ‘Nation’ State vs ‘Globalists’ – A Reflection from Recent Surveys

Against this backdrop it is important to acknowledge the significance of rising nativism in Europe and the USA and the associated backlash against political establishments and institutions believed to represent globalization and supranationalism.

The EU is suffering from a crisis, wherein its political legitimacy has been tarnished by a perceived disconnect between its citizens and the institutions, which govern and represent them. Euroskepticm continues to rise throughout Europe. A Pew Centre poll of 10 EU countries, published on June 7th this year, found that 49% of Europeans viewed the EU unfavorably. Negative opinions are most pronounced in France, where 61% of the population hold this view and in Greece where the opinion is shared by 71% of the population.

The migrant and refugee crisis has brought anti-EU sentiment to a head, especially amongst rising  right-wing and nationalist movements. However, euroskeptism can be found both on both the left and right of the ideological spectrum, albeit predicated on many different issues. These issues range from negative economic expectations and rising inequality to cultural, migration and security concerns.

Defenders of the EU, extol the political project’s virtues as a champion of peace, prosperity, human rights, justice and democracy, however it is failing to maintain legitimacy amongst the citizens of its members states. Increasing numbers of Europeans hold the perception that the EU does not serve their interests.

This perception is spurring a defense of the nation-state. 42% of respondents in the Pew poll agree they want more powers returned to national governments, while only 19% wish to see a closer Europe and EU expansion through the transference of more power to the regional body.  

Lessons from ‘Brexit’ and ‘Trump’s Triumph’

Brexit was driven by rhetoric focused on reclaiming of national sovereignty. This rhetoric, and the campaigns victory, is all the more significant given the result caught the majority of elected representatives in both major parties unawares.

The same rhetoric appeared in Trump’s presidential campaign. Trump’s vision to ‘Make America Great Again’ was predicated on the notion of putting ‘America First’. With these slogans Trump promoted the role of the ‘Nation’ State as an institution designed to serve its citizens first, appealing to a wide range of Americans, disenfranchised with the political establishment.

Trump’s further appeals to the ‘forgotten man and women’ was also, arguably, a key to his victories in the rust belt states, the region of the country worst affected by globalization and free trade.  It is also important to note the rhetoric of many of Trumps supporters, and the media voices sympathetic to him, who use the term ‘globalist’ to describe their ideological opponents.

Lessons for ASEAN?

What lessons can be learnt from these recent developments in the Europe and the USA? Firstly, it is important to acknowledge the significance of ASEAN’s slogan for a region like South East Asia. ASEAN began as a pragmatic, rather than idealistic, political agreement amongst governing elites concerned with preserving regional peace and the stability of their rule.

It is significant, therefore, that an organization, created by, predominantly, post-colonial states, to aid projects of state-building and national identity formation, is now extending itself to become an engine to foster a second level of identification, the ASEAN identity. Creating such an identity is ambitious political project. Collective identity is often understood as key part of creating resilient communities, and the facilitation of such a shared identity will play an important role in managing the multitude of ethnic, religious and identity differences in one of the most diverse regions in the world.

However, Gita Murti, an Indonesian foreign-service officer who has worked in the Directorate for ASEAN Political Cooperation, argues, it is “easier to agree upon a vision than to form a true collective identity.” The Vision of ASEAN integration remains an elite driven agenda, but one which rests on support and engagement of the public, the constituents of the ‘one’ identity and community, in order to achieve political legitimacy.

The events in Europe illustrate the difficulties of creating regional institutions, which, represent, and benefit a wide range of, often divergent, interests and concerns, while Trump’s victory and Brexit testify to the continuing belief that the nation-state remains the best-placed political institution to address the interests and concerns of its citizens.  

The creation of the ASEAN community, like the EU, is of course an elite driven process, but it requires engagement from the public for its legitimacy. It represents a shift from the pragmatic and political, State-Centred ASEAN to the ideational and social project of creating a ‘people-centred ASEAN.’ This people-centred, or people-orientated ASEAN, is premised, not only a promoting ASEAN, and ASEAN identity amongst the regions citizens, but also on delivering concrete benefits for these people.

However, in 2012, ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Surin Pitsuwan, warned that the birth of the ASEAN Community will create “winners and losers” with some communities ready to take full advantage of the new economic advantages available, while others may be left behind. He cautioned that growth of inequalities and disparities between communities may jeopardize the sense of belonging to the process of regional integration.

In light of these warnings, it is important to reflect on how the recent, and unfolding, attacks on supranationalism and globalisation in Europe and the USA hold relevance for ASEAN and its slogan of regional integration, “one vision, one community and one identity.”

Shane Preuss, Research Intern at ASEAN Studies Center, Universitas Gadjah Mada

The EU is currently attempting to pursue both normative political interests and economic interests in the ASEAN. I argue that the EU’s capacity to pursue its normative political interests through trade negotiations is dependent on its economic leverage and that ASEAN states, aware of the attractiveness of their markets, are willing to use their leverage to resist the EU’s attempts to export its political norms through binding legal mechanisms.

The EU has long promoted itself as the ‘model’ of regional integration and an ‘inspiration’ for ASEANs development. It has also provided significant assistance and financial support to the bourgeoning ASEAN secretariat. The EU’s normative political interests regard the attempt to export its norms of political cooperation, domestic and regional law, political institutions and values to other countries and regional bodies. The EU has, often, attempted to achieve this through conditionalities tied to FTA’s.

The resistance of ASEAN members to EU norms in trade negotiations does not, however, amount to a rejection of these norms, but a rejection of the process through which the EU attempts to pursue its normative political interests. ASEAN states have shown a willingness to adopt certain norms promoted by the EU, but only within the existing normative context of political cooperation common in the ASEAN region.

The Norms/Economic nexus in EU trade policy

The EU’s normative political interests are laid out in the Lisbon Treaty (2007), which articulates that EU foreign policy should be guided by its core principles of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. The EU has often used markets access and financial aid as leverage to incentivize policy reform in accordance with ‘European’ values. The EU’s FTA’s are commonly accompanied by Political Cooperation Agreements (PCA’s) and ‘essential clause ’has been used to link preferential trade status to conditions of upholding‘ European values outlined in the PCA. Failure to meet conditionalities can trigger a suspension of trade preferences. The ‘essential’ clause has been a central feature of the EU’s agreements since the early 1990’s.

There are, however, tensions between the EU’s economic interests and its normative political interests. The EU is not a unified actor and there is a distinction between the economic interests of member states and the EU’s normative position, which gives identity to the EU as a whole. This places limits on the EU’s ability to pursue it normative political interests alongside economic interests. The EU has faced criticism for not activating conditionality enough, or for doing so selectively on ‘harmless’ partners, while being reluctant to do so against powerful countries.

As a fragmented power, the EU tends to compromise its normative ambitions and consistency in the face of commercial interests as member states are more likely to converge on economic rather than ideational interests.

Behind EU-ASEAN’s Free Trade Agreements: Examining the relationship between Norms and Economic Leverage

The tension between the EU’s commercial interests and normative ambitions is evident in the EU’s FTA negotiations with ASEAN states. The attractiveness of South East Asia markets has given ASEAN members greater leverage in negotiations, contributing to a relatively symmetrical relationship between the EU and ASEAN states. This blunts the EU’s capacity to insist on legally binding, coercive clauses and conditionalities with prospective partners, who also object to the inclusion of explicit language on social issues in FTA agreements.  

To date, the EU has signed FTA agreements with Singapore and Vietnam and has initiated negotiations with Malaysia and the Philippines.

In FTA negotiations with ASEAN members thus far, the ‘essential clause’ has been replaced with sustainability chapters, which cover labor and environmental practices. The chapters include a dispute resolution mechanism, which is less coercive and more collaborative than the ‘essential clause’ and prevents the unilateral suspension of trade preferences. A complaint can be brought to a panel of experts appointed by a Joint Council of the Agreement who, on the basis of evidence, may propose a non-binding plan of action.

“Normative Adaptation”: Explaining EU-ASEAN Relations

The EU’s inability to insist on strong clauses and conditionality does not, however, equate to a rejection of these norms in ASEAN. It represents that ASEAN states are not passive receivers of EU norms and rejection the process through which the EU attempts to pursue its normative interests. ASEAN has it own norms of political co-operation and the reception of EU norms must be adapted to this pre-existing normative context. While the EU favors institutionalization and the incorporation international principles into domestic law, ASEAN states exhibit a strong focus on protecting sovereignty and a preference for cooperation and discussion on such issues, thus rejecting their attachment to trade negotiations.

Furthermore, while ASEAN has continued to institutionalize, as evidenced by the signing and the ASEAN charter, these developments stop short of emulation of the EU and instead demonstrate the adoption of certain norms and institutions within the EU, where appropriate and where adaptable to ASEAN norms. The inclusion of statements on human rights in the charter, as well as the creation of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human rights are significant examples, which must be understood within the political context of ASEAN’s regional norms.

ASEAN, at this stage, is concerned with promoting, rather than protecting human rights, meaning ASEAN has adopted these norms in a way which does not replace nor undermine the norm of non-interference. The EU’s turn to ‘soft’ mechanisms, such as sustainability chapters, therefore represents a compromise of normative interests and processes of adoption, brought on by the EU’s lack of economic leverage and the embeddedness of ASEAN’s own norms.

Thursday, 24 September 2016

Gedung BD Fakultas Ilmu Sosial dan Ilmu Politik, Universitas Gadjah Mada

 

This public lecture aims to discuss the problem of refugee issues, which has been increasing compared to the event of World War II. Southeast Asia as the busiest route in the world also serves as the place where refugee crisis is happening the most. Despite the situation, there are international organizations in Southeast Asia who are working to manage the high influx of refugee into this region. Recently, there is a recent development on Rohingya issues in Myanmar, who have always been marginalized and neglected on their rights to live. This serves as a serious global issue that is not far away from our door. The query then, is it relevant for IR? In the context of International Relations, refugee issues works as the most triggering part to question further whether nation-states system has provided the protection of refugee as subaltern. What really matter is that the refugees are there because of the crack and failure of nation-state system. This issue will bring us up to criticize the interconnection of at least four concepts, namely state, citizen, sovereignty, and territory.

This event invites special guests from the Indonesian Representative of United Nations Commission on Human Rights (UNHCR), Ms. Dinna Puspita Hapsari. On the other side, we also have Mr. Lars Stenger who has been working in Indonesia through Jesuit Refugee Service. Each of speaker will talk about their organization perspective on refugees, and the way they treat each of them under respective mechanism.

Ms. Dinna began with providing three main reasons why people move from one place to another place. Economic reasons has become the prominent factor why people move to another place for the sake of higher wage, cheaper living cost, and enjoyable place to live in. The second is social reasons. In the case of someone who is marrying someone from another place, he or she has to move to his or her spouse origin place. This has become common in our society. However, the last reason where people are sometimes neglecting this fact is the security (protection) reason. Some people have to move because of war, conflict, and human rights violation. Living dangerously in their origin place, they decide to migrate to another place for the sake of seeking national protection from states. Although some of them are irregular, this poses a serious problem where the receiving states do not allow them passing through states border. Even some countries do not regard the non-refoulement principle. At this point, border must be seen as a manmade imagination, which is fictionally created by the elites.

Asia Pacific provides the safe place for refugee, particularly Indonesia, which serves as the strategic place for migration. A lot of ports and coastlines give advantage for refugees to berth their boats. However, since Australia declared its new policy to block refugee coming into the country, this situation poses a serious problem for Indonesia whom will has high responsibility accommodating the influx of refugee into the region.

Ms. Dinna explained further about how UNHCR plays its vital role providing the refugee protection under the instruction of the Government of Indonesia. In the case of managing and providing settlement, UNHCR serves as the only international organization who is fully responsible on this issue. UNHCR works under mandates, namely to provide international protection (based on international human rights laws), to seek durable solution for refugee (restore dignity and life), to promote International Refugee Law, and to protect stateless people and Internally Displaced Persons. It also works under Global Sharing Burden where the responsibility to accept refugees should be shared out to each different countries. UNHCR also manages the pull-factor, where refugees who have been living in long-term duration, thus decide to move to another well-living place for settlement.

Notwithstanding, the UNHCR is under-staffed. The high amount of refugees sets problem for UNHCR Indonesia since they have have to spend 24 months for giving the resettlement and status of refugees to 1,200 stateless people. If they decide to maintain the system, we will neglect the fact that we cannot provide protection to all of the refugees. At this point, UNHCR Indonesia claims that they are not in fact managing those refugees instead overwhelmed by this fact.

UNHCR is not only facing the problem of mechanism, but also the administrative problem where they have to proceed the resettlement service of people who are without any proof of identity. For example, Rohingya are born without any birth certificate, passport, and many more, where Indonesia needs all of those administrative stuffs for registration.

Amidst the problem of UNHCR as main organization in settling the problem of refugee, Ms. Dinna also highlights other challenges that are still happening, as follows:

1. Indonesia has yet to ratify the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol
2. The absence of comprehensive and operational legislation and regulations for addressing asylum and refugee issues in Indonesia
3. The use of detention as a refugee and asylum management
4. Increasing number of asylum applications in Indonesia

 

In the next session, Mr. Lars Stenger discusses about the role of Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) who is already working globally in wide-ranging regions, such as Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Middle East, and South Asia. The unique mechanism they use is involving refugees to work as teachers, health officers, and many more according to their skills. JRS works under three main principles, namely accompany, serve, and advocate. On the daily basis, JRS staffs try to listen to the story of refugees. This practice provides them relief, particularly in understanding of what they are really need. In fact, living under crises and sorority has changed their mindset on the luxury standard. What matters for them is not only eat and live, but to also apply their skills reviving the dignity of life.

JRS comes up with broad definition of refugee. According to JRS, refugee includes the people who are persecuted due to racial, religious, and the membership of social or political group issues; and the victims of armed conflicts, erroneous economic policy, or natural disasters. On the other hand, according to Lars, the refugees are not the crisis. It is the bombing, the torture, the destruction. That is what has been mainly fueling this unprecedented movement of people. To date, JRS has reached 724,500 individual under several services mechanism, such as education, emergency assistance, healthcare, livelihood activities, and social services.

In Africa, JRS has played important role to alleviate the serious threat to people who are being abused due to the endemic sexual violence and the recruitment of child soldiers in Eastern Congo. JRS comes up with campaign to stop people using sexual abuse. Moreover, JRS also puts concern in Asia Pacific through many offices spreading in Thailand, Cambodia, Singapore, Myanmar, Philippines, Indonesia, and Australia. The main activity in this region is assisting refugees in detention.

Before he closed his session, Mr. Stenger underlines the rising concern of xenophobia where western civilizations are afraid of refugees since they look over them as illegal immigrants and even the cells bent from terrorism trying to destroy Western civilization instead of seeing them as naturally as refugees. This is the fact that hampering civil society and humanitarian organization to combat such abnormal thought over refugees.

Q&A Session

Question:

1. I am curious about UNHCR mandate is to protect stateless people. Whether to talk about the Rohingya massacre the refugees are in fact looking for the international protection and fleeing outside the country looking for Muslim-based country. How UNHCR address the issue of legal administration? How Indonesia government can be involved in cooperation with UNHCR?
2. Is there any kind of particular mechanism to protect refugees while waiting for the status grant?
3. How can we ensure this refugee to be accepted in society?

Overall Answers:

1. UNHCR Mandate is not only to protect, but also to prevent statelessness. Indonesia as natural leader should be pushed to negotiate Myanmar in term of Rohingya persecution. However, frankly speaking, the situation is more complex that what we think. The hate is so deep and Aung San Suu Kyi as the Nobel Awardee is disappointing.
2. UNHCR protection mechanism is there, but failing. We have Regular Detention Center Monitoring in 13 detention centers. It is simply too expensive to travel to Papua. UNHCR lacks of sources.
3. We should intervene public opinion on refugees making them to think that refugees can be very beneficial for society.
4. Indonesians are quiet humble. In Aceh, one refugee tells a story that he has been nicely accepted. Listening and understanding their fear can help us to regard refugee as positive subject. Providing communication and creating safe space.