Rohingya Refugees: The Indonesian Government’s Dilemma between Legal Responsibility and Humanitarian Responsibility

This research explores the implementation of the Indonesian government’s dilemma regarding Rohingya refugees in relation to legal responsibility and humanitarian responsibility. This research is a normative (doctrinal) study with a statutory and conceptual approach. The results indicated that the Indonesian government has a legal responsibility to protect Rohingya refugees based on the principles in ratified international treaties, which include protection from expulsion and fulfilment of refugees’ basic rights in accordance with applicable legal provisions. Meanwhile, Indonesia’s humanitarian responsibilities are multidimensional: saving lives, fulfilling basic needs, and encouraging global political solutions. Despite limited resources and local pressures, the government continues to fulfil its role as a “first asylum country” based on the principles of humanity and solidarity.