Indonesia and the UNHCR: Different Approaches to East Timorese Refugees in West Timor

Abstract

This article investigates the refugee crisis occurred in Belu regency in 1999 due to the divergences between the UNHCR and Indonesian government, concerning the status of East Timorese refugees, whether Refugees or Internally Displaced Persons? This issue was analyzed through a case study that the different views have created the split of the roles. The UNHCR became responsible for the repatriation agenda, while the local integration and resettlement burden fell to the Indonesian government, impacting the durable solution implementation. To avoid this burden, the Indonesian government revoked the status of the “refugees” to be Indonesian citizens in 2003, affecting badly the refugees’ lives.