Afghan Refugees in Indonesia Protest Years of Uncertainty, Demand Resettlement

DID Press: A group of Afghan refugees in Indonesia have staged protests against years of uncertainty, calling for resettlement opportunities in countries willing to accept refugees.

Some of the Afghan refugees have been living in Indonesia for more than a decade, waiting for decisions on their cases and relocation to other countries.

According to figures from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), approximately 12,000 refugees are registered in Indonesia, with Afghan nationals accounting for a significant proportion of the population. UNHCR’s September 2026 statistics put the total number of registered refugees at 12,186, with Afghans making up 39 percent.

The prolonged waiting period has left many refugees uncertain about their future, prompting repeated calls for resettlement and a lasting solution to their situation.