View source for 2023 Banda Aceh anti-Rohingya protest

{{short description|2023 protest by students in Indonesia}}
{{copy edit|date=December 2023}}
{{Infobox civilian attack
| partof           = reactions to the Rohingya refugee crisis
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| location         = [[Banda Aceh]], [[Aceh]], Indonesia
| target           = [[Rohingya]] refugees
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| date             = {{start date|2023|12|27|df=yes}}
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| type             = {{hlist|[[Riot]]|[[pogrom]]}}
| fatalities       =
| injuries         =
| victims          = <!-- or | victim = -->
| perpetrators     = [[Teuku Wariza Aris Munandar]] <br /> [[Acehnese people|Acehnese]] university students
| perpetrator      = [[Teuku Wariza Aris Munandar]]
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| motive           = {{hlist|[[Racism]]|[[xenophobia]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.suara.com/lifestyle/2023/12/31/093000/mahasiswa-aceh-usir-pengungsi-rohingya-disebut-xenofobia-istilah-apa-itu|title=Mahasiswa Aceh Usir Pengungsi Rohingya Disebut Xenofobia, Istilah Apa Itu?|website=suara.com|access-date=2023-12-31}}</ref> (specifically anti-Rohingya sentiment)|[[opposition to immigration]]}}
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In December 2023, students from various universities in [[Aceh]], [[Indonesia]] '''protested and rioted against [[Rohingya people|Rohingya]] refugees'''. The protests took place at the Balee Meuseuraya Hall in [[Banda Aceh]].
== Background ==
{{Main article|Rohingya people}}
[[File:Assistant Secretary for Population, Migration, and Refugees Anne C. Richard Visiting Rohingya Refugee Camp in Aceh (19012659706).jpg|thumb|[[Anne C. Richard]] visiting Rohingya refugee camp in Aceh in 2015]]The Rohingya are a stateless Muslim minority from [[Myanmar]] who are considered the most persecuted group in the world.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |title=A new life for the Rohingya |url=https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2017/10/world/rohingya-refugees-cnnphotos/ |access-date=2023-12-29 |website=www.cnn.com |language=en-US}}</ref> They were considered as terrorist by Myanmar junta and fled to other countries, such as [[Bangladesh]], to avoid violence.<ref name=":7" /> In Indonesia, Rohingya refugees have arrived since 2015 according to the [[United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees]] (UNHCR), with more than 1100 arriving in November and December 2023.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |title=More than 100 Rohingya refugees land in Indonesia: officials |url=https://www.thejakartapost.com/indonesia/2023/12/02/more-than-100-rohingya-refugees-land-in-indonesia-officials.html |access-date=2023-12-29 |website=The Jakarta Post |language=en}}</ref> Most of them are heavily persecuted in Myanmar and escaped via sea journeys, reaching Malaysia and Indonesia.<ref name=":8" /> More than 800 arrived again in Indonesia causing the refusal of the Acehnese to accept them due to the lack of government.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Afifa |first=Laila |date=2023-12-23 |title=Indonesia's Hypocrisy over the Rohingya |url=https://en.tempo.co/read/1812895/indonesias-hypocrisy-over-the-rohingya |access-date=2023-12-29 |website=Tempo |language=en}}</ref> On 11 December, [[Gibran Rakabuming Raka]] commented that the arrival of Rohingya refugees is illegal and invite the government to focus on community welfare first.<ref>{{Cite web |last=akbar |first=Adrial |title=Gibran: Pengungsi Rohingya Masuk Secara Ilegal |url=https://news.detik.com/pemilu/d-7084472/gibran-pengungsi-rohingya-masuk-secara-ilegal |access-date=2023-12-30 |website=detiknews |language=id-ID}}</ref>
On 13 December, [[Retno Marsudi]] stated that the Rohingya refugees who landed in Aceh are the victims of human trafficking and people smuggling.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Afifa |first=Laila |date=2023-12-14 |title=Retno Marsudi: Rohingya Refugees May Be Victims of Human Trafficking |url=https://en.tempo.co/read/1809450/retno-marsudi-rohingya-refugees-may-be-victims-of-human-trafficking |access-date=2023-12-29 |website=Tempo |language=en}}</ref> Rohingya refugees continued to receive anti-refugees rejection through a misinformation campaign by fake [[United Nations]] accounts.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-22 |title=Fake UN accounts spewing anti-refugee hate feed Indonesia's Rohingya rejection |url=https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3246022/indonesia-fake-un-accounts-spewing-anti-refugee-hate-feed-rejection-rohingya |access-date=2023-12-29 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en}}</ref> {{ill|KRI Bontang (907)|id}} used by the [[Indonesian Navy]] repeatedly pushed out ships carrying Rohingya refugees on the grounds of human trafficking.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://prohaba.tribunnews.com/2023/12/30/tni-al-halau-kapal-yang-angkut-pengungsi-rohingya-ke-luar-zee-diduga-adanya-tppo|title=TNI AL Halau Kapal yang Angkut Pengungsi Rohingya ke Luar ZEE, Diduga Adanya TPPO|website=prohaba.tribunnews.com|access-date=2023-12-30}}</ref> On 26 December, [[Prabowo Subianto]] stated that the Indonesian government must pay attention to the interests of the people who still live under welfare rather than Rohingya refugees.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Anggrainy |first=Firda Cynthia |title=Prabowo soal Pengungsi Rohingnya Melonjak: Kita Utamakan Rakyat Sendiri |url=https://news.detik.com/pemilu/d-7109751/prabowo-soal-pengungsi-rohingnya-melonjak-kita-utamakan-rakyat-sendiri |access-date=2023-12-29 |website=detiknews |language=id-ID}}</ref>
== Timeline ==
On 27 December 2023, hundreds of students from several universities in Aceh, such as Al-Washliyah University, [[University of Abulyatama|Abulyatama University]], Bina Bangsa Getsempena University, and [[University of Muhammadiyah Aceh]], came to Balee Meuseraya Hall in [[Banda Aceh]], by representing Nusantara Student Executive Board.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2023-12-28 |title=Kronologi Mahasiswa Usir Pengungsi Rohingya di Banda Aceh |url=https://regional.kompas.com/read/2023/12/28/160157878/kronologi-mahasiswa-usir-pengungsi-rohingya-di-banda-aceh |access-date=2023-12-29 |website=KOMPAS.com |language=id}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=UNHCR Prihatin Mahasiswa Usir Paksa Pengungsi Rohingya di Aceh |url=https://www.cnnindonesia.com/internasional/20231228125950-106-1042623/unhcr-prihatin-mahasiswa-usir-paksa-pengungsi-rohingya-di-aceh |access-date=2023-12-29 |website=CNN Indonesia |language=id-ID}}</ref> They demanded to meet with the Aceh Regional People's Representative Council and voiced action to reject the Rohingya, causing the women and children to cry.<ref name=":0" /> The students later ran to some of the refugees who were doing [[Salah]] and caused a commotion that caused several refugees to beg, and they later were detained by officers to prevent further commotion.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-27 |title=Suasana Tegang dan Tangisan Pengungsi Rohingya Saat Diangkut Paksa Pendemo di BMA Banda Aceh |url=https://regional.kompas.com/read/2023/12/27/222614678/suasana-tegang-dan-tangisan-pengungsi-rohingya-saat-diangkut-paksa-pendemo |access-date=2023-12-29 |website=KOMPAS.com |language=id}}</ref> However, they ran back inside the building and started to kick the refugees' belongings, and threw mineral water bottles at them which caused them to sit on the floor and cry in fear.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Indonesian students evict Rohingya from shelter demanding deportation |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/12/27/indonesian-students-evict-rohingya-from-shelter-demanding-deportation |access-date=2023-12-29 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-29 |title=5 Fakta Terkait Aksi Mahasiswa di Aceh Usir Paksa Pengungsi Rohingya |url=https://www.liputan6.com/news/read/5493339/5-fakta-terkait-aksi-mahasiswa-di-aceh-usir-paksa-pengungsi-rohingya |access-date=2023-12-29 |website=liputan6.com |language=id}}</ref> The students also burned tyres and scuffled with the police chanting to kick and reject the Rohingya in Aceh.<ref name=":1" /> The refugees later were led out carrying their belongings in plastic sacks and taken to trucks with the help of police officer.<ref name=":1" /> They were moved to Aceh Regional Office of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights.<ref name=":0" /> After moving the refugees, the students danced and celebrated their action in front of the Aceh Regional Office of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights which was recorded and uploaded on social media on 28 December.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Viral Aksi Joget Mahasiswa Aceh Usir Ratusan Imigran Gelap Rohingya |url=https://daerah.sindonews.com/read/1286591/174/viral-aksi-joget-mahasiswa-aceh-usir-ratusan-imigran-gelap-rohingya-1703725957 |access-date=2023-12-29 |website=SINDOnews Daerah |language=id-ID}}</ref>
== Investigation ==
The [[United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees]] stated that the cause of the protest was the result of a coordinated online campaign containing misinformation, disinformation and hate speech against refugees.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Hantoro |first=Juli |date=2023-12-28 |title=UNHCR Sebut Serangan Mahasiswa ke Pengungsi Rohingya Akibat Kampanye Kebencian |url=https://nasional.tempo.co/read/1814535/unhcr-sebut-serangan-mahasiswa-ke-pengungsi-rohingya-akibat-kampanye-kebencian |access-date=2023-12-29 |website=Tempo |language=en}}</ref> They urged the society to double-check all information about Rohingya refugees available online as much of it is false or distorted, with images created by artificial intelligence, and hate speech spread through bot accounts.<ref name=":4" /> Della Masrida, a student from Abulyatama University, said that the protest was caused due to the Rohingya coming uninvited to Indonesia and acting like it is their country.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |agency=Reuters |date=2023-12-28 |title=Anti-Rohingya protesters storm Indonesia refugee shelter demanding deportation |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/28/asia/aceh-indonesia-student-protest-rohingya-refugees-intl-hnk/index.html |access-date=2023-12-29 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref>
The leader of the protest, [[Teuku Wariza Aris Munandar]], who was a student at Al-Washliyah University, said that he only demanded the deportation of Rohingya.<ref name=":5" /> On 28 December 2023, it was revealed that Wariza is affiliated with the [[Gerindra Party]] through the Hadi Surya Youth Front which he later stated that the protest had nothing to do with it.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Saifullah |first=Mhd |title=Aksi Mahasiswa Tolak Rohingya Dikaitkan dengan Parpol, Ini Kata Korlap |url=https://sumut.idntimes.com/news/indonesia/muhammad-saifullah-3/korlap-bantah-aksi-penolakan-rohingya-ada-kaitan-dengan-parpol |access-date=2023-12-29 |website=IDN Times Sumut |language=id}}</ref> Munandar was also revealed to be a former drug convict who was sentenced to two years in prison in September 2022 due to consuming [[methamphetamine]], and added that he had been legally released.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Koordinator Mahasiswa Usir Paksa Rohingya Sempat Napi Kasus Narkoba |url=https://www.cnnindonesia.com/nasional/20231229133559-12-1043138/koordinator-mahasiswa-usir-paksa-rohingya-sempat-napi-kasus-narkoba |access-date=2023-12-29 |website=CNN Indonesia |language=id-ID}}</ref>
Wariza was allegedly paid 100 to 200 million rupiahs for leading the protest.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://banten.akurat.co/news/1323684870/koordinator-mahasiswa-pengusir-pengungsi-rohingya-di-aceh-diduga-dibayar-ratusan-juta|title=Koordinator Mahasiswa Pengusir Pengungsi Rohingya di Aceh Diduga Dibayar Ratusan Juta|website=banten.akurat.co|access-date=2024-01-01}}</ref>
== Reactions ==
Many social media users supported the anti-Rohingya protest.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?si=1bwq8m9_tdH2ynt7&v=lyRXNMktdqA&feature=youtu.be|title=Comments of "Pengusiran mahasiswa pada pengungsi Rohingya di Aceh..."|website=youtube.com|access-date=2023-12-31}}</ref> However, the [[United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees]] (UNHCR) condemned the action and stated that the protest was one of the results of campaigns, misinformation and disinformation, as well as hate speech to attack Rohingya refugees.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2023-12-27 |title=UNHCR Sebut Pengungsi Rohingya Jadi Sasaran Kampanye Kebencian Terkoordinasi |url=https://regional.kompas.com/read/2023/12/28/060000178/unhcr-sebut-pengungsi-rohingya-jadi-sasaran-kampanye-kebencian |access-date=2023-12-29 |website=KOMPAS.com |language=id}}</ref> They also urged the Aceh government and law enforcement to provide protection for refugees, and asylum seekers who handle the matter.<ref name=":2" />
The Indonesian President, [[Joko Widodo]], blamed a surge in human trafficking for the arrival of Rohingya refugees.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-28 |title=Aksi Mahasiswa Aceh Usir Pengungsi Rohingya Disorot Media Asing |url=https://www.kompas.com/global/read/2023/12/28/151500570/aksi-mahasiswa-aceh-usir-pengungsi-rohingya-disorot-media-asing |access-date=2023-12-29 |website=KOMPAS.com |language=id}}</ref> The [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Indonesia)|Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia]] minister, [[Retno Marsudi]], remained silent regarding the incident.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rinepta |first=Adji G. |title=Respons Menlu Retno Marsudi Ditanya soal Pengungsi Rohingya Diusir di Aceh |url=https://www.detik.com/jogja/berita/d-7112603/respons-menlu-retno-marsudi-ditanya-soal-pengungsi-rohingya-diusir-di-aceh |access-date=2023-12-29 |website=detikjogja |language=id-ID}}</ref> The [[National Commission on Human Rights|National Human Right]] Commissioner, Parulian Sihombing, condemned the protests and asked the government and related institutions to guarantee the fate of Rohingya refugees.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Komnas HAM Kecam Pengusiran Paksa Pengungsi Rohingya oleh Mahasiswa |url=https://www.cnnindonesia.com/nasional/20231229162225-20-1043258/komnas-ham-kecam-pengusiran-paksa-pengungsi-rohingya-oleh-mahasiswa |access-date=2023-12-29 |website=CNN Indonesia |language=id-ID}}</ref> [[Mahfud MD]] responded, saying that during the [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami]], Aceh had received aid from all over the world as refugees and questioned why the students now refused to help the Rohingya.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-28 |title=Mahasiswa Usir Pengungsi Rohingya, Mahfud MD Ingatkan soal Bantuan Saat Tsunami Aceh |url=https://surabaya.kompas.com/read/2023/12/28/210638978/mahasiswa-usir-pengungsi-rohingya-mahfud-md-ingatkan-soal-bantuan-saat |access-date=2023-12-29 |website=KOMPAS.com |language=id}}</ref>
The executive director of ASEAN Studies Center at [[Gadjah Mada University]], Dafri Agussalim, said that there is no need for students to be physically involved.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.detik.com/edu/edutainment/d-7115440/mahasiswa-aceh-usir-pengungsi-rohingya-pakar-ugm-tak-perlu-bertindak-secara-fisik|title=Mahasiswa Aceh Usir Pengungsi Rohingya, Pakar UGM: Tak Perlu Bertindak Secara Fisik|website=detik.com|access-date=2023-12-30}}</ref> The chair of the [[Alliance of Independent Journalists]], Sasmito, regretted the protest due to the trauma caused to the refugees, especially women and children due to the use of violent acts.<ref name=":9" /> This action also resulted in condemnation from civil societies, including from KontraS<ref name=":9" /> and 11 women's organizations.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aceh.tribunnews.com/2023/12/31/11-organisasi-perempuan-aceh-sesalkan-pengusiran-pengungsi-rohingya-oleh-mahasiswa|title=Organisasi Perempuan Aceh Sesalkan Pengusiran Pengungsi Rohingya oleh Mahasiswa|website=aceh.tribunnews.com|access-date=2023-12-31}}</ref> The Ulema Deliberation Council of Aceh urged president [[Joko Widodo]] to solve the refugee crisis.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.merdeka.com/peristiwa/ulama-di-aceh-mengaku-berdarah-darah-dukung-jokowi-minta-kasus-rohingya-diselesaikan-69347-mvk.html?screen=2|title=Ulama di Aceh Mengaku Berdarah-darah Dukung Jokowi, Minta Kasus Rohingya Diselesaikan|website=merdeka.com|date=31 December 2023 |access-date=2023-12-31}}</ref>
One of the refugees, Rohimatun, said that the protest scared her to death and caused her children to catch a fever.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |date=2023-12-29 |title=Kasus Rohingya di Aceh: 'Kami kira akan mati di sini,' pengungsi Rohingya alami trauma setelah diusir mahasiswa |url=https://www.bbc.com/indonesia/articles/cyr3ykvjxp0o |access-date=2023-12-30 |website=BBC News Indonesia |language=id}}</ref> Another refugee, Muhammad Syakhi, said that he escaped from Bangladesh to Aceh due to the news that the people were friendly, which apparently was not the case.<ref name=":9" /> Muhammad Ridwan said that would be better to stay in Indonesia rather than returning to Bangladesh.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ajnn.net/news/syok-diserang-mahasiswa-pengungsi-rohingya-lebih-baik-di-sini-ketimbang-kembali-ke-bangladesh/index.html|title=Syok Diserang Mahasiswa, Pengungsi Rohingya: Lebih Baik di Sini Ketimbang Kembali ke Bangladesh|website=ajnn.net|date=27 December 2023 |access-date=2023-12-29}}</ref>
The incident also received coverage from several international media, such as ''[[Al Jazeera Media Network|Al Jazeera]]'', ''[[Euronews]]'', [[Reuters]], and ''[[DW News]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-29 |title=Media Asing Menyoroti Pengusiran Pengungsi Rohingya di Aceh |url=https://www.kompas.com/tren/read/2023/12/29/113000765/media-asing-menyoroti-pengusiran-pengungsi-rohingya-di-aceh |access-date=2023-12-29 |website=KOMPAS.com |language=id}}</ref> Palestinian journalist [[Hebh Jamal]] commented about the incident on her Instagram stories and stated that Indonesia has a hypocritical nature due to protests for Palestine's independence but treating refugees with the same hatred as Israel.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=2023-12-29 |title=Jurnalis Palestina Soroti Aksi Mahasiswa Aceh Usir Pengungsi Rohingya: Jangan Seperti Israel! |url=https://www.liputan6.com/citizen6/read/5493144/jurnalis-palestina-soroti-aksi-mahasiswa-aceh-usir-pengungsi-rohingya-jangan-seperti-israel |access-date=2023-12-29 |website=liputan6.com |language=id}}</ref> She also added that Palestine doesn't need support from Indonesians who do not support the liberation and survival of refugees, and later called Indonesian citizens hypocrites.<ref name=":3" /> ''Radar Banjarmasin'' of ''[[Jawa Pos]]'' called the student protesters as "[[neo-fascism|neo-fascists]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://radarbanjarmasin.jawapos.com/opini/1973670101/opini-metropolis-mahasiswa-neo-fasis|title=Opini Metropolis: Mahasiswa Neo Fasis|website=radarbanjarmasin.jawapos.com|access-date=2023-12-29}}</ref>
== Aftermath ==
On 28 December 2023, [[Mahfud MD]] moved the 137 Rohingya refugees from Meuseraya Aceh Hall to the [[Indonesian Red Cross Society]] and Aceh Foundation Building, with the help of [[Jusuf Kalla]].<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Media |first=Kompas Cyber |date=2023-12-28 |title=Mahfud MD Pindahkan 137 Pengungsi Rohingya Usai Diangkut Paksa Mahasiswa di Aceh |url=https://regional.kompas.com/read/2023/12/28/123444278/mahfud-md-pindahkan-137-pengungsi-rohingya-usai-diangkut-paksa-mahasiswa-di |access-date=2023-12-29 |website=KOMPAS.com |language=id}}</ref> He also deployed police personnel to maintain the security of Rohingya refugees.<ref name=":6" /> On 29 December, the students returned the refugees to Meuseuraya Aceh Hall due to the [[Ministry of Law and Human Rights]] not providing adequate facilities.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lubis |first=Ahmad Arfah Fansuri |title=Mahasiswa Aceh Bawa Lagi Pengungsi Rohingya ke Penampungan |url=https://news.detik.com/berita/d-7114651/mahasiswa-aceh-bawa-lagi-pengungsi-rohingya-ke-penampungan |access-date=2023-12-29 |website=detiknews |language=id-ID}}</ref> The coordinator of the protest, Teuku Wariza, made an apology and stated that it was infiltrated by provocateurs. He also stated that its original intent was to urge the government and Aceh People's Representative Council (DPRA) to solve the refugee crisis.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.republika.co.id/berita/s6fvl8377/minta-maaf-korlap-kelompok-mahasiswa-aceh-usir-rohingya-sebut-aksi-disusupi-provokator|title=Minta Maaf, Korlap Kelompok Mahasiswa Aceh Usir Rohingya Sebut Aksi Disusupi Provokator|website=republika.co.id|date=30 December 2023 |access-date=2023-12-30}}</ref>
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rohingya Protest (2023)}}
[[Category:2023 protests]]
[[Category:2023 riots]]
[[Category:Anti-immigration politics in Asia]]
[[Category:December 2023 events in Indonesia]]
[[Category:Discrimination in Indonesia]]
[[Category:History of Aceh]]
[[Category:Immigration-related protests]]
[[Category:Indonesia–Myanmar relations]]
[[Category:Pogroms]]
[[Category:Politics of Aceh]]
[[Category:Refugees in Indonesia]]
[[Category:Riots and civil disorder in Indonesia]]
[[Category:Rohingya diaspora]]
[[Category:Student protests in Indonesia]]
[[Category:Student riots]]