The Role of The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Indonesia in Addressing Illegal Rohingya Asylum Seekers in Aceh

The refugee crisis is an international issue that has drawn serious attention from the international community. The 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol serve as the fundamental premise of international legal protection for refugees, with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) as the primary implementing body. However, Indonesia has yet to ratify either of these instruments, despite frequently serving as a transit country for refugees, including Rohingya refugees arriving through Aceh. The absence of ratification is due to several factors, including Indonesia's large population and limited resources. This study aims to analyze the role of UNHCR in Indonesia and explore the steps that Indonesia, as a non-party to the Convention, can take to address the issue of illegal asylum seekers. The research employs a normative-empirical legal method Using a descriptive-analytical method. Data is gathered from an extensive review of literature, applicable laws, and reports from relevant institutions. UNHCR plays a vital role in handling Rohingya refugees in Aceh, working in cooperation with both national and international agencies. Indonesia can take measures based on the principle of non-refoulement as a fundamental form of protection. Additionally, refugee management is regulated under Presidential Regulation No. 125 of 2016, and Indonesia continues to collaborate with UNHCR and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to provide temporary protection for refugees without being a formal party to the Convention.