Beyond Non-Ratification: Indonesia’s Refugee Governance in the Era of Deglobalization

Dewanto, Wisnu Aryo and Putro, Yaries Mahardika Beyond Non-Ratification: Indonesia’s Refugee Governance in the Era of Deglobalization. In: The 11th International Conference on International Studies ICIS2026 Shifting Geopolitics, Rising Power and the Return of Walls: De-Globalisation or Re-Globalisation?, 2-3 Desember 2026, Kedah, Malaysia. (Submitted)

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Abstract

The contemporary international order is undergoing a geopolitical shift characterized by rising nationalism, tighter border controls, and a resurgence of the principle of state sovereignty. These developments challenge traditional assumptions regarding the international refugee protection regime and prompt states to adopt more pragmatic governance approaches. Indonesia presents an interesting case, it has consistently declined to become a party to the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol, yet it simultaneously hosts thousands of asylum seekers and refugees through national administrative mechanisms. This article argues that Indonesia’s refugee policy can no longer be adequately understood solely through the lens of international legal obligations or humanitarian commitments. Instead, the policy should be analyzed as a form of refugee governance shaped by global geopolitical dynamics, national interests, regional diplomacy, and domestic political considerations. In this context, the study specifically examines Indonesia’s decision not to ratify the 1951 Refugee Convention and the 1967 Protocol, along with the underlying legal and geopolitical rationales to understand the logic behind its non-conventional yet accommodative approach to refugee governance. Employing a normative legal approach enriched by a governance perspective, the study analyzes the evolution of Indonesia’s refugee management framework, particularly Presidential Regulation No. 125 of 2016 concerning the Handling of Refugees from Abroad and evaluates how the country balances humanitarian responsibilities with security interests amidst an era of deglobalization. The article concludes that Indonesia has developed a distinctive refugee governance model rooted in strategic flexibility rather than obligations derived from international treaties. This model reflects a pattern emerging in various transit countries as they confront mounting migration pressures and geopolitical uncertainty. This study contributes to the broader debate on politics and governance by demonstrating how middle powers adjust refugee governance in response to changes in the global order.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Subjects:	K Law > KZ Law of Nations
Divisions:	Faculty of Law > Department of Law
Depositing User:	YARIES MAHARDIKA PUTRO
Date Deposited:	06 Oct 2026 01:59
Last Modified:	06 Oct 2026 01:59
URI:	http://repository.ubaya.ac.id/id/eprint/51332

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