Key Points:
- Indonesia urges stronger international support for countries hosting Rohingya refugees to prevent a prolonged humanitarian crisis.
- Foreign Minister Sugiono highlighted at a UN conference that wealthier nations must increase resettlement opportunities and share responsibility.
- The Rohingya crisis is closely linked to Myanmar’s broader political turmoil and the ongoing military dictatorship.
- Inclusive dialogue aligning with ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus peace plan is essential for peace and safe Rohingya repatriation.
- Refugees face heightened risks from trafficking and people-smuggling networks, requiring regional cooperation.
- Indonesia commits to combating trafficking but calls for ASEAN and the Bali Process to strengthen efforts against irregular migration.
- Myanmar’s National Unity Government condemned the military junta’s coup as the root cause and urged rejection of its ‘scam election.’
- The UN Special Rapporteur called on Indonesia and allies to isolate Myanmar’s junta and break the stalemate by holding the regime accountable.
- Indonesia’s role in quiet and shuttle diplomacy aims to mediate regional conflicts and enhance public diplomacy for peace.
- Humanitarian concerns include Rohingya refugees’ trauma, vulnerable conditions, and the need for sustained aid and protection.
Indonesia has made a significant international appeal for enhanced global cooperation and support to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis faced by Rohingya Muslims displaced from Myanmar. Speaking at a high-level United Nations (UN) conference in New York on September 30, 2025, Foreign Minister Sugiono emphasised the necessity for wealthier nations to share the burden by providing greater resettlement opportunities and other assistance to the countries currently hosting Rohingya refugees.
What did Indonesia say about the Rohingya refugee situation?
Indonesia’s Foreign Ministry released a statement quoting Sugiono, who declared, “For eight years, Rohingya refugees have lived in uncertainty. We must not allow this to turn into decades of despair. The international community must share responsibility.” He warned that without a heightened international commitment, the crisis risks continuing for decades, creating prolonged human suffering.
The Minister linked the Rohingya issue to wider political instability in Myanmar, stressing that the resolution cannot be isolated from Myanmar’s prevailing crisis. He urged inclusive dialogue in line with ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus, which calls for a peaceful solution through engagement with all parties involved.
How is the Myanmar political crisis connected to the Rohingya issue?
As reported by the UN News office, Sugiono stressed that “the Rohingya’s tragedy is inseparable from Myanmar’s crisis.” The country’s ongoing conflict, particularly following the military coup in 2021, has entrenched violence and oppression, making the safe and voluntary repatriation of Rohingya refugees unlikely in the near future.
The National Unity Government (NUG) of Myanmar, representing opposition to the military junta, blamed the military regime for the destruction of peace and security in Myanmar. The NUG’s representative called on the international community to reject the military’s “scam election” and to deny legitimacy to the junta, stating, “First and foremost, we must end this military dictatorship and its atrocities.”
What regional threats do Rohingya refugees face?
Indonesia’s Foreign Minister cautioned about the growing vulnerability of Rohingya refugees to trafficking and people-smuggling syndicates operating across Southeast Asia. He acknowledged that Indonesia alone could not combat these illegal networks effectively and called for regional cooperation.
Sugiono called for strengthening ASEAN and the Bali Process, a regional forum that supports efforts against transnational crime such as human trafficking and smuggling. “ASEAN and the Bali Process must continue to be strengthened as regional platforms to address irregular migration and protect vulnerable communities,” he said [Bernama, The Star Malaysia].
What role does Indonesia play in the Rohingya crisis mediation?
Indonesia’s role extends beyond appeals for aid. The Journal of Communication and Public Relations highlighted Indonesia’s approach through public diplomacy and shuttle diplomacy as part of ASEAN’s efforts to mediate regional conflicts. The strategy involves engaging key players in Myanmar to foster dialogue and peace, aiming to revive Indonesia’s traditional role as a regional peacemaker.
Since assuming the ASEAN chair in 2023, Indonesia has committed to leading efforts despite challenges posed by ASEAN’s non-intervention principle and the political complexities among member states. Public diplomacy aims to mobilize international and regional support, shape perceptions, and ultimately contribute to a stable order in Southeast Asia.
What are UN and humanitarian perspectives on Indonesia’s efforts?
Tom Andrews, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar, concluded his 2023 mission to Indonesia urging Indonesia and other nations to coordinate actions to alleviate the worsening Myanmar crisis. He praised Indonesia’s support for Myanmar’s people and called for greater leadership, especially as Indonesia chaired ASEAN at that time.
Andrews warned about the crisis fading from global attention and urged ASEAN to hold the Myanmar junta accountable for grave human rights violations. If ASEAN remains deadlocked, he recommended Indonesia collaborate with allies to isolate the military regime and limit its capacity for attacks against civilians.
During his visit to Rohingya refugee camps in Aceh’s Pidie District, Andrews witnessed firsthand the profound trauma and vulnerability of refugees who had fled across dangerous seas. He emphasised their right to a safer, more peaceful life that international cooperation must urgently realise.
What humanitarian challenges are currently facing Rohingya refugees?
Reports indicate ongoing funding shortages impacting aid to Rohingya in countries like Indonesia. In early 2025, aid cuts affected over 900 Rohingya, worsening already precarious living conditions. Additional crisis layers include intensified conflict in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, which since 2024 displaced nearly 150,000 more Rohingya, further straining refugee camps in neighbouring countries.
The international community, including the European Union and Japan, has allocated significant funds to support Rohingya refugees and host communities during 2025, but sustained, increased efforts remain necessary to meet basic humanitarian needs.
