Indonesia’s Humanitarian Diplomacy in The First Period of Jokowi in Handling the Rohingya Refugee Crisis 2015-2018

Abstract

The Rohingya ethnic group is a Muslim minority in Myanmar. This ethnic group has experienced acts of discrimination and violence carried out by the police, government military, and other ethnic communities in Myanmar. This act of discrimination turned into a humanitarian conflict that required the Rohingya ethnic group to seek refuge in other countries. Because the wave of migration increased, it became a refugee crisis. Humanitarian diplomacy combines diplomatic and humanitarian aspects to respond to humanitarian crises involving protection, assistance, and recovery for conflict victims. The humanitarian diplomacy process carried out by Indonesia in handling the Rohingya refugee crisis consists of information gathering, communication, and negotiations. The humanitarian diplomacy steps taken by Indonesia are considered more successful than the diplomacy that uses violence and criticism to corner the Myanmar government carried out by the international community. Humanitarian diplomacy carried out by Indonesia has made the Myanmar government willing to open access to foreign parties. Apart from that, Bangladesh is also willing to protect refugees in other countries. Through pressure from Indonesia, the governments of Myanmar and Bangladesh are willing to hold a bilateral meeting and provide a solution for the repatriation efforts.