The department of International Law Faculty Of Law Brawijaya University held a national conference with the theme “Protection of International Refugees in Indonesia: Between International Obligations and National Interest”. This seminar was held in commemoration of the 58th anniversary of the Faculty of Law.
The conference held on Wednesday (08.05.2015) at Auditorium 6th Floor of the Faculty of Law was moderated by Hanif Nur Widhiyanti, SH. M.Hum. Ph.D., Lecturer in the department of International Law. While the speakers in the conference were Karina Putri Indrasari (Lecturer in the Faculty of Social Science), Herman Suryokumoro, SH., MS. (Lecturer in the department of International Law), and Prof. Hikmahanto Juwana, SH., LL.M., Ph.D (Professor at the University of Indonesia). More than 100 participants attended the conference, which consists of law professors from public and private universities in Indonesia, students, and the general public.
For the government, the presence of Foreign Refugees raises a dilemma. On one hand, the government should facilitate their existence. This is because, from the humanitarian side, the government will violate international law if they are ignorant. On the other hand, the aid to facilitate such Refugees, will have an impact on the state budget. Prof. Hikmahanto argued that there are still many poor people in Indonesia or troubled migrant workers abroad to be taken care of. We need to take more concern of our national interest, and find a long term solution.