by Hafizur Rahman
September 8, 2025, Thousands of Rohingya refugees in Indonesia remain trapped in a cycle of uncertainty, living without legal rights, education, or sustainable livelihoods. Spread across at least five camps, the community continues to face dire conditions years after fleeing persecution and violence in Myanmar.
Living in Harsh Conditions
The largest Rohingya settlement is in Pekanbaru City, Riau Province, where about 1,200 refugees live near the immigration detention center. Residents there say they lack proper shelter, healthcare, education, clean water, and electricity. Smaller camps are scattered across Aceh Province: Pidie (55 refugees), Lhokseumawe (92), Padang Tiji in Minaraya (68), and Rawang in East Aceh (400).
“Surviving, Not Living”
Many refugees, especially youth, describe their lives in Indonesia as an existence without dignity or opportunity.
“I was born in Arakan, Myanmar, where we were denied citizenship, dignity, and rights. In 2017, I was forced to flee to Bangladesh and spent seven years in a refugee camp,” said Hammidul Haq, a Rohingya refugee now in Pekanbaru. “When I came to Indonesia, I hoped for opportunities and freedom. But I found the same hardships. We are not allowed to study or work legally. Once again, we are just trapped in limbo.”
Youth Left Without Opportunities
Many young Rohingya undertook perilous sea journeys in search of safety and education, only to face severe restrictions on movement, employment, and schooling. Without legal recognition in Indonesia, they remain unable to build stable futures, leaving them increasingly vulnerable.
Shelter and Health Struggles
Overcrowding, temporary tents, lack of clean water, and poor healthcare have created unsafe living conditions in the camps. Refugees report frequent illness and rising mental health challenges, worsened by past trauma and the despair of an uncertain future.
Holding Onto Hope
Despite the hardship, many Rohingya youth continue to cling to hope. “We don’t want sympathy,” Hammidul said. “We want opportunities, justice, and dignity — the same rights every human being deserves.”
A Crisis Beyond Borders
The plight of Rohingya refugees in Indonesia underscores the wider crisis facing one of the world’s most persecuted minorities. Survivors of genocide and repeated displacement, they continue to struggle not only to escape violence but also to find a place where they can rebuild their lives with dignity and security.
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