By: Hafizur Rahman, Camp Correspondent
On the occasion of World Refugee Day 2025, Rohingya refugees living in Pekanbaru, Riau, gathered to deliver an emotional and urgent message to the international community. In a public appeal marked by sorrow, resilience, and determination, they called for protection, justice, and recognition—reminding the world that their displacement is not over, and their suffering has not ended.
“We are survivors of genocide,” said one statement. “The Myanmar military killed our families, burned our homes, and forced us to flee. We didn’t become refugees by choice—we ran to survive.”
While expressing heartfelt gratitude to the Indonesian government and local communities for offering shelter and safety, the refugees emphasized that their lives in Indonesia remain filled with challenges. Overcrowded camps, limited access to education, poor legal protections, and rising threats of human trafficking continue to undermine their basic rights and safety.
“We Are Stranded. Forgotten.”
The refugees described a deep sense of abandonment and fear, highlighting the growing risk posed by traffickers who prey on their desperation.
“Human traffickers exploit us,” said Hamidul Hoque, speaking at the event. “They see no human being—only profit. Many of our people have vanished at sea or disappeared into trafficking networks.”
Another community member, Abdu Rahman, told Rohingya Khobor:
“We cry for help, but the world remains silent. We are stranded, with no future and no freedom. But we will not stop speaking—we still hope someone will hear us.”
The Community’s Urgent Demands
In their collective statement, the Rohingya refugees outlined four key appeals to the United Nations, donor countries, and international organizations:
- Immediate protection and legal recognition for Rohingya refugees in Indonesia and beyond.
- Strong international measures to combat trafficking and protect vulnerable refugees from exploitation.
- Access to education, healthcare, and safe living conditions, especially for children and women.
- Inclusion in global refugee dialogues and durable solutions, including voluntary, safe, and dignified repatriation.
A Message to the World
“We are not just statistics in a report. We are human beings,” their statement concluded. “We want to live with dignity, raise our children in safety, and contribute to the world—not just survive in its shadows.”
As World Refugee Day is commemorated globally, the Rohingya community in Pekanbaru serves as a painful reminder that millions remain in limbo. Their voices—clear, powerful, and urgent—call upon the world to stand not just in sympathy, but in solidarity.
