Page 30 - 10th Annual International Charles Town Maroon Conference and Festival Magazine

June 2018 Charles Town Maroon International Conference Magazine

addition, we have discussed these issues with the IOM
and UNHCR staff. IOM tells us that they cannot do
anything and that they are unauthorised and unable to
make decisions regarding our release. In reality, both
of these organisations are powerless and have huge
problems trying to manage the situation.

These organisational regimes are in the midst of an
extremely important and pivotal period, one may
interpret it as a ‘management crisis.’ This crisis
indicates the difficulties caused by the increasing
numbers of refugees that is unprecedented in
Indonesia. If they were able to implement a
reasonable, logical and calculated approach they could
resolve this crisis. However, these two organisations
have not yet admitted this is a critical situation.

In reality, both organisations have only implemented
a system of surveillance in their management program,
and for this reason the managers approach the
predicament of the refugees without any urgency.

The role of managers here, in fact, seems to be to
actually disobey the objectives of the institution or
organisation that they are employed by. They do not
fulfill their duties, and even when they do act
responsibly it is more in terms of practicing formalities
–looking after refugees is all about enacting a
performance.

At the same time, these two organisations do not
actually supervise the actions and behaviour of their
That issue is the incapacity and inability of the United
own employees, most of whom are Indonesian
Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
citizens. Corruption is pervasive and increasing
and IOM to manage the situation.
regardless of attempts to stop it.
Refugee advocates have written many letters on our
And these two organisations are not held accountable
behalf explaining the critical situation for refugees
in the international scene moderated by the United
held in Indonesia’s detention centres. They have been
Nations. Complaints filed by refugees are not attended
communicating with the international community and
to properly. And whenever anyone files a complaint
other NGOs who respond by saying that they will
they just receive a cold and indifferent response, they
follow up on the claims. Until now they have not taken
tell refugees: ‘No-one forced to you to come here.’
one practical step toward addressing the problems. In

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