Maximum Protection for Indonesian Citizens

The government (state) is obliged to provide maximum protection to every Indonesian citizen in any situation, both in and outside the country.

KOMPAS/PRIYOMBODO

TNI troops from the Bravo 90 Unit after the departure ceremony for the Indonesian Nationals (WNI) evacuation team to Sudan from Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base, Jakarta, Monday (24/5/2023). A total of 827 Indonesian citizens will be evacuated from Sudan, North Africa.

The government's assertion of its obligation to protect all citizens wherever they may be is stated in Law No. 12/2006 on the citizenship of the Republic of Indonesia. This is one of the specific principles called “maximum protection”.

The protection of Indonesian citizens wherever they are is also affirmed in the 1945 Constitution, especially in areas or countries that are experiencing conflicts. Article 28A states: “Every person has the right to live and the right to defend their life and existence”. In addition, Article 28D, paragraph 1 states: “Every person has the right to recognition, guarantees, protection, and legal certainty that is fair, as well as equal treatment before the law”. The state also provides guarantees for the safety of its citizens as stated in Article 28I, paragraph (4) of the Constitution, which stipulates that the protection, promotion, enforcement, and fulfillment of human rights is the responsibility of the state, especially the government.

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In order to fulfill its constitutional mandate, as reported in Kompas, the government is continuing to evacuate Indonesians from Sudan, where civil war has broken out. The government has urged all Indonesian citizens to contact or visit the Indonesian embassy in Khartoum (Kompas, 25/4/2023).

A total of 827 out of 1,209 Indonesians who are registered with the Indonesian embassy in Khartoum will be evacuated in two stages. The first stage commenced on Sunday (23/4), and 538 Indonesians arrived in Port Sudan on Monday (24/4). Foreign Minister Retno L.P. Marsudi urged any Indonesian citizens who were not at the embassy or consulate to coordinate immediately with the embassy and report their whereabouts so they could be evacuated in the second stage.

DOKUMENTASI MUFLIH UNTUK KOMPAS

A number of Indonesian students used buses to evacuate from Arkaweet to Port Sudan, Sudan, Tuesday (25/4/2023). The Indonesian government evacuated Indonesian citizens because of the war in Sudan.

Several countries are also making efforts to evacuate their citizens in Sudan. The process is not easy, because the warring sides have not been able to maintain a cease-fire and fighting is occurring in several areas.

Prior to the current civil war, Sudan has experienced two civil wars since independence on 1 Jan. 1956: in 1955-1972 and in 1983-2005. Those fighting do not care about the safety of their citizens, or of foreign citizens.

The government must provide maximum protection for its citizens because it is mandated by the Constitution.

Indonesia and other countries are concerned about the safety of their citizens in Sudan. The government must provide maximum protection for its citizens because it is mandated by the Constitution, the essence of living in a country, and part of international humanitarian law, which aims to limit the impact of armed conflict on civilians. The parties in the conflict should understand these rules.

This is not the only time the government has taken responsibility for evacuating Indonesian citizens from countries affected by conflict. Last year, the government and the Indonesian Military (TNI) evacuated Indonesians from Ukraine, and from Sudan in 2003. The people’s safety is top priority.

This article was translated by Tenggara Strategics.