For over a decade, thousands of civilians who fled endless systemic persecution, violence, and genocide in Afghanistan have been stranded in Indonesia, living in a state of limbo as stateless refugees. These individuals, including vulnerable women, children, and elderly people, escaped unimaginable horrors in their homeland, only to face a new set of challenges in a country where they lack legal recognition and basic human rights. For 13 years, they have been caught in a protracted crisis, unable to return home safely and barred from integrating into Indonesian society or resettling elsewhere. Denied access to formal education, these refugees are deprived of opportunities to learn, grow, and build a future. Children are particularly affected, with an entire generation at risk of illiteracy and lost potential. The prohibition on legal employment compelling families to rely on precarious charity to survive. Without access to healthcare, treatable illnesses go unaddressed, exacerbating physical and mental suffering. The absence of essential services, such as clean water, adequate housing, and sanitation in overcrowded refugee camps, further compounds their hardship. This dire situation has led to severe psychological trauma, with reports of widespread depression, anxiety, and hopelessness. Alarmingly, suicide rates in these camps have surged, serving as a heartbreaking indicator of the deepening humanitarian crisis. The international community must act with urgency to address this overlooked crisis. Governments, United Nations agencies, and non-governmental organizations must collaborate to provide immediate humanitarian protection, including access to healthcare, education, and mental health support. Durable solutions, such as safe resettlement to third countries or pathways to legal integration in Indonesia, are critical to restoring hope and dignity to these stateless refugees. The global community has a moral and legal obligation under international refugee law to ensure their safety, uphold their fundamental rights, and secure a stable future for those who have already endured unimaginable suffering. Time is running out—swift, coordinated action is essential to prevent further loss of life and to offer these refugees the chance to rebuild their lives with dignity. #End13YearsInLimbo_Indonesia #StopHazaraGenocide
