Pekanbaru, Riau, March 13 (Antarariau.com)- A total of 1,176 asylum seekers and refugees, including 239 children, are now being temporarily accommodated in eight community houses in Pekanbaru, Riau Province.
There were 239 children under 17 years old, including a baby who was just recently born, Surya Pranata, head of the Immigration Division of Riau, said here, Monday.
Based on data of the UNHCR, more than 14 thousand immigrants are currently being stranded in Indonesia. They are being temporary accommodated in 11 regions, including in Pekanbaru.
Of the 1,176 immigrants in Pekanbaru, 930 are from Afghanistan, 35 from Iraq, 20 from Iran, 59 from Palestine, 40 from Sudan, 40 from Myanmar, 21 from Somalia, 24 from Pakistan, three from Sri Lanka, two from Bangladesh, and one each from Syria and Jordan.
Indonesia does not ratify the UN Convention Year 1951 on refugees, but the country has provided temporary accommodations for them based on humanitarian consideration.
The immigrants are waiting to be transferred permanently to third countries such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand, or European nations. ***4***
Lets See, 263 Asylum Seekers and Refugees in Pekanbaru Are Children
