Vol. No. Desember 2025: 374Ae388 https://doi. org/10. 22146/kawistara. https://jurnal. id/kawistara/index The Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities ISSN 2088-5415 (Prin. | ISSN 2355-5777 (Onlin. Submitted: 13-09-2025. Revised: 29-12-2025. Accepted:02-01-2026 The Interplays between Government. Human Security and Geopolitics in Indonesia's Governance of Afghan Refugees. Human Security Perspective Mohammad Rafi Hamidi1* Ali Maksum2 Sabza Gol Qaderi3 1,2,3 Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta *Corresponding author: mohammad. psc24@mail. ABSTRACT Traditional approach on security has emphasized on the issues of border and sovereignty of states. This paper examines the complex interplay between governance, human security and geopolitical transformations in the context of forced migration, focusing on the experience of Afghan refugees in Indonesia after 2021. The research argues that IndonesiaAos AuinformalAy governance approach, in the absence of a domestic legal framework, has placed refugees in a prolonged state of AulimboAy. This situation has directly impacted on various dimensions of their human security, including economic, social and psychological security. Using content analysis and case study methods, this article shows that the TalibanAos takeover of Afghanistan in 2021, as a geopolitical trigger, has exacerbated existing challenges and fueled multiple insecurities for refugees. The findings emphasize that relying solely on international cooperation is not enough and that countries need to establish a domestic legal framework to provide effective governance based on human dignity. Finally, this article emphasizes the importance of adopting a comprehensive human security approach to managing refugee crises and offers suggestions for policymakers in Indonesia and other host countries. KEYWORDS Human security. Refugee governance. Indonesia. Afghan refugees. Geopolitical transformations. INTRODUCTION In recent decades, the concept of human refugeesAo vulnerability extends beyond the security has gained a special place in the physical to include their human dignity and literature of international relations and global politics. In contrast to traditional approaches to security that emphasize the sovereignty of states, borders, and national interests, the human security framework focuses on protecting individuals from multidimensional threats. threats that range from poverty and economic deprivation to health, cultural, and social crise(UNDP. This shift in perspective is especially crucial in the case of forced migration, since The fall of the Afghan government in August 2021, and the return of the Taliban to power, can be regarded as one of the most significant geopolitical occurrences of the past decade. This development set off a fresh wave of forced migration in the region (Kovess-Masfety et al. , 2022 . Qazi Zada et Although neighboring countries like as Pakistan and Iran were the primary Southeast CopyrightA 2025 Mohammad Rafi Hamidi, et. This article is distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4. 0 International license. Jurnal Kawistara is published by the Graduate School of Universitas Gadjah Mada. Asia, particularly Indonesia, emerged as through cooperation with international a key transit hub. IndonesiaAos situation is organizations such as UNHCR, but has failed particularly problematic because it is not a to provide sustainable solutions due to the signatory to the 1951 Geneva Convention lack of a domestic legal framework ( Marzuki on the Status of Refugees, leaving Afghan and Tiola 2. From this perspective, three refugees in a condition of legal and social central questions arise for this research:. uncertainty known as AulimboAy (Suyastri et What has been the Indonesian governance , 2. This inconsistency highlights the approach to Afghan refugees in the post- gap between international humanitarian 2021 period and what are its characteristics? Scholars . How can they live experience of Afghan have argued that non-traditional security refugees in Indonesia be explained from challenges such as irregular migration strain the perspective of multiple dimensions of the capacity of countries such as Indonesia. human security? . What lessons can be States that prioritise stability, border control, learned from IndonesiaAos experience for the and resource management while ignoring future of refugee governance in non-1951 comprehensive refugee protection (Suyastri Convention countries? et al. , 2. By examining these questions, this This situation leads to a governance study attempts to situate the experience vacuum and, as a result, the persistence of Afghan refugees in Indonesia within of structural insecurities, including lack of the broader debates of human security, access to employment, education, and health resilience, and global refugee governance. services (Sampson et al. , 2. Furthermore. The main argument is that IndonesiaAos Afghan women and children face multiple reliance on informal mechanisms, in the vulnerabilities rooted in gender and cultural absence of domestic law, creates systemic conditions, illustrating how intersectionality vulnerabilities that are entrenched over shapes the refugee experience (Crenshaw The paper also argues that effective Telesetskyt 2. In such a context, the human security framework is an important humanitarian imperatives with domestic tool for analysis This method not only political realities, and that adopting a human addresses economic, social, and health issues, security approach is not only a normative but it also reveals structural violence caused imperative but also a strategic imperative by a lack of legal protections. Insecurity for long-term regional stability (Nandy for Afghan refugees stranded in Indonesia and Majee 2024. Lau 20. AuTo better extends beyond poverty and financial limits understand these challenges, this study to include psychological trauma, cultural employs the human security framework isolation, and hope degradation. In this as a lens to analyze refugee governance in regard, the Indonesian experience is both Indonesia. AuuniqueAy and Auinstructive. Ay The country has To analyze the Indonesian experience in prevented an immediate humanitarian crisis depth and answer the research questions. Mohammad Rafi Hamidi et. Ai The Interplays between Government. Human Security and Geopolitics in . this article uses the theoretical framework have been exposed to violence, are more of human security as its main lens. This likely to suffer from anxiety, depression, theoretical framework helps us to examine and post-traumatic stress disorder. This the challenges faced by refugees beyond the demonstrates that human security is a broad traditional perspective of state security and notion that encompasses mental health and to understand the dynamics of governance social stability as critical components. in non-Convention States more precisely. To build on this subject, the economic This section explains the key concepts of the theoretical framework, which will be used refugees in Indonesia, the lack of a legal in the rest of the article to analyze the case framework for employment leads to long- study and draw conclusions. term economic insecurity. This incapacity to Conceptualizing Human Security in the earn a living not only requires them to rely Context of Forced Migration The idea of human security, initially articulated in a 1994 report by the United Nations Development Programmed (UNDP), is an important lens for moving beyond Rather than focusing on border security framework priorities individual protection from widespread and significant threats. According to Tadjbakhsh and Chenoy . human security has seven key dimensions: personal, socio-cultural, and political security. In the context of forced migration, these dimensions have a direct impact on refugeesAo survival, dignity, and general well-being. RefugeesAo personal uncertainty frequently begins when they left their home country and continues during the journey and in the host country. They are constantly exposed to threats like as assault, human trafficking, and exploitation. As a result, when assessing refugee circumstances, psychological and sociocultural factors should be considered in addition to physical security. According to studies, refugees, particularly those who Kawistara. Vol. No. Desember 2025: 374Ai388 For Afghan on limited financial help from organizations like UNHCR, but it also makes them more vulnerable to exploitation in informal labor Unemployment can have serious long-term consequences, including a loss of dignity and self-esteem, as well as emotions of hopelessness and despair. Furthermore, social and educational uncertainties worsen the issues. Refugee IndonesiaAos public school system, making their future uncertain and socially isolated. Afghan women and girls confront additional challenges as a result of their gender and cultural vulnerabilities (Sampson et al. , 2. This alienation from society diminishes their sense of belonging and exacerbates their cultural and social isolation. Governing Refugees in Non-Party States Administering refugee governance in nations that are not signatories to the 1951 Refugee Convention poses distinct issues, with Indonesia serving as a notable example. The absence of a local legal framework for asylum results in the governance of refugees in the country being predominantly reliant on immigration rules and security measures (Suyastri et al. , 2. This strategy creates an the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in 2021, uncertain legal status that subjects refugees have greatly complicated the situation of to a prolonged AuprecariousAy condition, while Afghan refugees in Indonesia. This event their rights and access to social assistance acted as a Aucrisis triggerAy that not only remain unacknowledged. increased the number of Afghan refugees but This approach of Auinformal governanceAy presents a dilemma. Indonesia permits the UNHCR to function within its territory and adheres to the concept of non-refoulement, repatriated to nations where their lives are at risk (Stoyanova, 2008. This collaboration establishes Indonesia as a conscientious also destroyed the hope of voluntary return to their country (Qazi Zada & Qazi Zada. This development deepened their sense of permanence in displacement and increased psychological stress and feelings of entrapment. Waiting for resettlement in a third country became the only possible solution, which in turn led to despair. At the same time, global attention and of a national legal framework results in a resources were diverted to countries hosting substantial Auprotection gap,Ay leaving refugees larger refugee populations, such as Pakistan without formal protection. This duality and Iran. This marginalization on the global highlights the merits and shortcomings of refugee agenda meant less international IndonesiaAos strategy: despite projecting a humanitarian image internationally, it has chances of resettlement for Afghan refugees not succeeded in delivering sustainable in Indonesia. This situation exacerbates their remedies domestically. feelings of being forgotten and invisible, and The In this environment, refugee governance governmentAos reinforces the insecurities they already face. Furthermore, responsibility, but rather a collaborative shifts have also transformed IndonesiaAos endeavor involving multiple stakeholders, understanding of security. The increasing (UNHCR). NGOs, and local populations. In Indonesia, the UNHCR is instrumental in registering and assessing the status of border management and pressure on limited refugees, however it lacks the executive resources (Suyastri et al. , 2. While power to deliver a definitive resolution these concerns are understandable from a to their circumstances. This unregulated state security perspective, they often lead division of labor confines refugees in a to more restrictive and control-oriented perpetual state of awaiting resettlement in a policies that conflict with the principles of third nation, which may endure for years. human security. This dynamic illustrates The Role of Multiple Actors and the Impact of Geopolitical Shifts In Geopolitical developments, such as the ongoing tension between state security . hich prioritizes sovereignty and border contro. and human security . hich focuses Mohammad Rafi Hamidi et. Ai The Interplays between Government. Human Security and Geopolitics in . on the protection and dignity of individual. (Indonesian immigration law. in a specific IndonesiaAos experience with Afghan refugees The aim of this case study is not shows that when state security is prioritized simply to describe the situation in Indonesia, at the expense of human security, governance but to extract lessons learned that can responses increase, rather than reduce, the be generalized to other countries and vulnerabilities of displaced populations. international policymakers. Method Data Collection Framework and Method This research has been conducted by Due to the qualitative nature of the adopting a qualitative approach, in order to research and the limitaions of field access, analyze in depth and comprehensively the the data required for this study were complex dynamics of refugee governance. Unlike quantitative research that measures To ensure the reliability and phenomena, a qualitative approach seeks comprehensiveness of the information, a to understand the AuwhyAy and AuhowAy of three-pronged data collection process was phenomena in their natural context (Galtung. This approach helps us to obtain a 2. The main methods used in this study completer and more accurate picture of the are qualitative analysis of documents and subject by combining data from different texts and case studies. This methodological Official and international data: combination allows us to delve into the This category includes official reports and hidden layers, social contexts and deeper documents from international institutions, including UNHCR. UNDP, and IOM. Academic focusing on numerical data, and to present a and scientific literature: These sources rich and detailed picture of the subject. include articles published in reputable Research approach and case study Choosing a case study approach to analyze IndonesiaAos experience in dealing with Afghan refugees is a strategic approach. This method allows us to examine in depth a specific phenomenon . overnance of refugee. in its real context (Indonesi. and over a specific time period . (Galtung, 2. Indonesia is chosen as a key example of a country not party to the 1951 Refugee Convention. Examining this specific example allows for a detailed analysis of the tension between international norms (UNHCR principle. and national policies Kawistara. Vol. No. Desember 2025: 374Ai388 journals in the field of migration studies, human security, and international relations. These articles provide in-depth theoretical analyses and field research conducted by independent researchers that contribute to a better understanding of the dynamics of governance and human security. Reports from human rights institutions and reputable media: Reports from non-governmental organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, as well as detailed news analyses from reputable media, provide vital data on the legal and humanitarian situation of refugees. Data Analysis Methodology and Conceptual Most of the existing research Framework to date has focused on the experiences of The collected data were examined using the qualitative content analysis technique. Inspired by the approach of AuThematic CodingAy, this process seeks to go beyond mere description and identify recurring patterns, themes, and key concepts in the The analysis process consisted of three key and sequential steps: Open Coding: In this step, the raw data were carefully read and initial codes were identified. These codes were descriptive in nature and included Auinformal governance,Ay Aueconomic insecurity,Ay and Austate of limbo. AuAxial Coding: The compared and correlated to organize them into broader, more conceptual categories. These categories served as Auaxial categoriesAy and were directly linked to the research questions and theoretical framework of the Analysis and Interpretation: In this final stage, the complex connections between the axial categories were analyzed to form the key arguments of the paper. This process led to linking the case study findings to the theoretical framework of human security and provided comprehensive and final answers to the research questions. Afghan refugees in neighboring countries such as Iran and Pakistan (Turton and Marsden 2002. Ahmad et al. Khan et 2. or on frontline countries such as Turkey and Greece that are directly affected by the influx of migrants ( Missbach 2. In contrast, less attention has been paid to Southeast Asia, and in particular Indonesia, which, despite its geographical distance from Afghanistan, has become a major transit and long-term stopover point for refugees. This gap in research has left our understanding of the role of Aunon-1951 Convention statesAy in shaping the lived realities of refugees very This article seeks to fill precisely this gap, focusing on IndonesiaAos particular model of Auinformal governanceAy and analysing it from a human security perspective. Unlike Iran and Pakistan, where Afghan refugees face varying degrees of integration into the labor market. Indonesia has not provided any formal pathways to citizenship, social integration, or long-term settlement. At the same time, unlike European transit countries such as Greece. Indonesia relies almost entirely on cooperation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and lacks a national asylum law of DISCUSSION its own. This particular position neither a The Link Between Governance. Human Aumakes Indonesia an important case study Security and Geopolitical Transformations for examining the tension between national Analysis The discussion of how Indonesia will govern Afghan refugees after 2021 needs perfect host nor an Auexclusionary gatekeeper human security. to be placed within the broader academic Placing the Indonesian experience in this and policy debates surrounding refugee comparative context highlights two main Mohammad Rafi Hamidi et. Ai The Interplays between Government. Human Security and Geopolitics in . First, from a theoretical perspective, of Aunon-refoulementAy. The principle in it shows that the concept of Auhuman securityAy international refugee law that no person in non-1951 Convention countries reveal shall be returned to a country where their life new forms of structural violence and long- or freedom would be seriously threatened. term insecurities that traditional refugee Indonesia has provided the United Nations law frameworks fail to account for (Galtung High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Tadjbakhsh and Chenoy 2. Second, with access to register, process cases, and from a policy perspective, it suggests that attempt resettlement. This cooperation has the lack of a domestic legal framework led to Indonesia being recognized regionally does not simply mean the legal suspension as a Auresponsible humanitarian actor,Ay a of refugees, but itself actively reproduces position that is also consistent with the cycles of dependency, vulnerability, and countryAos humanitarian diplomacy policy within the ASEAN framework (Zakaria et al. These highlight the need to rethink refugee governance, particularly in contexts where On the other hand, the lack of a domestic states deliberately remain outside the 1951 legal framework for refugees has left them in Convention but at the same time attempt to a state of profound legal uncertainty. Afghan project a humanitarian image in regional and refugees, whose numbers have increased in global diplomacy. Indonesia since the 2021 upheavals and the Informal Governance as a Double-Edged return of the Taliban, are neither recognized Sword Indonesia has adopted a specific and contradictory model in the field of refugee management, which can be called an AuintermediateAy or AuintermediateAy model. The country is neither a party to the 1951 Geneva Convention and the 1967 Protocol, nor does it pursue a policy of total exclusion and mass expulsion of refugees. In fact, by choosing a middle path. Indonesia, on the one hand, tries to maintain its humane and humanitarian image in the regional and international arena, and on the other hand, by not developing a domestic legal framework, it keeps itself away from binding and costly obligations towards refugees (Suyastri et al. , 2. This dual situation, as Stoyanova, . points out, on the one hand, prevents the Kawistara. Vol. No. Desember 2025: 374Ai388 as citizens nor as legal immigrants. The result of such a legal vacuum is the systematic denial of their fundamental rights. Rights that are essential for survival, dignity and well-being within the framework of human security (UNDP, 2. From a theoretical perspective, this situation can be seen as a clear example of Austructural violenceAy, which Galtung, . , introduces as a hidden and persistent form of In this type of violence, individuals are harmed not through direct physical and institutions that prevent them from accessing basic resources. In Indonesia, the denial of legal work, education, social services and even freedom of movement has effectively placed refugeesAo lives in a state of Auforced dependencyAy on limited international assistance (Amin, 2. For example, the ban on legal employment From a global development perspective, has left many Afghan refugees in Indonesia this model is also inconsistent with the dependent on meagre assistance from UNHCR principles of the Sustainable Development and local organizations. This dependency not Goals (SDG. The principle of Auleaving no one only undermines their economic security, but behindAy is in practice violated by the situation also directly affects their mental health and of Afghan refugees in Indonesia (UNDP, sense of human dignity. Research by Kovess- Lack of access to education and health. Masfety et al. , . shows that economic deprivation of economic opportunities, and insecurity and legal uncertainty are among the absence of a clear future horizon all the most important factors in the emergence indicate that refugees are excluded from of depression, anxiety, and identity crisis the human development agenda. Ultimately, among Afghan refugees in transit countries. IndonesiaAos including Indonesia. becoming a Aupermanent limboAy rather than a From IndonesiaAos Audouble-edged swordAy: Positive edge: preventing violations of the non-refoulement, an immediate humanitarian crisis, and strengthening IndonesiaAos diplomatic image temporary solution. Afghan refugees have no means of return, no possibility of integration into the host society, and no realistic hope of rapid resettlement. This situation is costly both for the refugees themselves and for the Indonesian government, which must manage the long-term pressures of their presence as a humanitarian country. Negative edge: without legal and institutional support. reproducing the cycle of structural insecurity Geopolitical shifts and heightened human and violence, legal and social deprivation of refugees, and weakening social solidarity between the host community and refugees. These contradictions also have far-reaching consequences for the host community. The prolonged presence of refugees in conditions of uncertainty places additional economic and social pressures on local In some areas, competition for limited resources has created social tensions (Brown, 2. In the absence of a clear legal framework, the Indonesian government has been forced to manage problems in an ad hoc and reactive manner, an approach that is both unsustainable and carries high political and social costs. The developments in Afghanistan in 2021 and the return of the Taliban to power can be considered a turning point in the geopolitical equations of the region and in the fate of Afghan refugees. This sudden development, like a crisis trigger, fundamentally changed the conditions for thousands of refugees who had been living in uncertainty for Many Afghans who were in transit in countries such as Indonesia, until this event still hoped to one day be able to return to their country, but the collapse of Kabul and the consolidation of Taliban rule practically destroyed any prospect of a safe return. a result, refugeehood, which was previously thought of as a temporary situation, became Mohammad Rafi Hamidi et. Ai The Interplays between Government. Human Security and Geopolitics in . a long-term and even permanent condition. balance of power in South and Central Asia. This change in perspective had profound intensifying the security concerns of the consequences for the human security of Afghan refugees. Prolonged uncertainty and the lack of a clear horizon have imposed severe psychological and social pressures on them. Many describe their lives as a Aupermanent limbo,Ay where there is no return to the past and no bright future to be imagined. Recent research has shown that such conditions severely affect the mental health of refugees, creating a wave of depression, anxiety, and a sense of identity among Afghan youth and children (Kovess-Masfety et al. , 2. The loss of hope for rapid return or resettlement in a third country has trapped refugees in a situation characterized only by endless waiting. a wait that over time drains their psychological and social energy and pushes them towards risky decisions. Desperation for the future has led many Afghan refugees in Indonesia to resort to illegal migration and risky routes to escape the stagnation and uncertainty. Dangerous sea journeys to Australia, reliance on people smugglers, and acceptance of deadly risks have been part of survival strategies. What Monsutti, ( 2. Calls Ausurvival migrationAy is evident here: refugees, in situations where they have no legal or sustainable prospects, even prefer the risk of death to a life in limbo. Such decisions are more a reflection of the structural and psychological pressures of constant insecurity than a sign of free choice. In addition to the human dimension, the developments in Afghanistan have also had far-reaching geopolitical consequences. The return of the Taliban has changed the Kawistara. Vol. No. Desember 2025: 374Ai388 countries in the region (Khan et al. , 2. Although Indonesia does not share a border with Afghanistan, its geopolitical position as a country on the transit route of South Asian migrants has made it indirectly subject to the pressure of migration waves. The increasing presence of Afghan refugees in Indonesia after 2021 is a clear sign of this geopolitical link that has shifted the Afghan crisis to a more distant geography. The increasing number of Afghan refugees in Indonesia has forced the government to redefine its understanding of security. While traditional security discourse has focused on military and border threats, non-traditional threats have now taken center stage. Illegal immigration, human trafficking, pressure on limited resources, and the increasing need for education and health services have all put pressure on IndonesiaAos internal security. These pressures have led the government to adopt restrictive and controlling policies that, rather than reducing the vulnerability of refugees, have become part of the cycle of This situation has once again exposed the tension between state-centered security and human-centered security. From the perspective of the Indonesian government, the priority is to maintain national sovereignty, social stability, and border control (Hamidi. However, from the perspective of refugees, security has a completely different meaning and, above all, means the protection of life, human dignity, and the possibility of rebuilding life. The stateAos over-focus on territorial security and neglect of human security has marginalized refugees and Nations Sustainable Development Goals. deprived them of their fundamental rights. Goal 1 (No Povert. Goal 3 (Health and As ( Tadjbakhsh and Chenoy 2. have Well-bein. Goal 4 (Quality Educatio. explained, human security is achieved when and Goal 16 (Peace. Justice and Strong the basic needs of people are prioritized, not Institution. are all violated in the daily lives simply the authority of the state. Otherwise, of Afghan refugees in Indonesia (UNDP, 2. control policies become a form of structural Deprivation of work, lack of access to health violence that reproduces vulnerability rather services, childrenAos deprivation of education than reducing threats. and lack of legal protection indicate that Examining IndonesiaAos alongside AfghanistanAos neighbors. Iran and Pakistan, reveals many similarities. All three countries have not acceded to the 1951 Convention, and as a result. Afghan refugees refugees are effectively excluded from the global development agenda. This not only has humanitarian consequences, but also threatens the entire sustainable development process ( Fukuda-Parr and McNeill 2. find themselves in a similar state of limbo. Overall, geopolitical developments after In Iran. Afghans are largely confined to low- 2021 have made the situation of Afghan wage, informal jobs, and in Pakistan, long- refugees in Indonesia much more difficult. term camps with no prospect of resettlement The fall of Kabul destroyed the hope of or voluntary return have created similar return and condemned them to a life of This comparison suggests that perpetual limbo. At the same time, the the Afghan refugee precarity is a regional Indonesian governmentAos increased security and structural crisis, not a national problem pressures have led to policies that, rather limited to Indonesia. than reducing threats, have become part Alongside the failures of host states, the weaknesses of the global refugee regime are also evident. Although UNHCR is tasked with protection and resettlement, its limited capacity and dependence on the political decisions of third countries have left many refugees waiting for years (Missbach 2. In Indonesia, large numbers of Afghans have been waiting for resettlement for over a decade. This clearly demonstrates that of the cycle of insecurity. This experience shows that prioritizing state security at the expense of human security, in practice, not only does not reduce threats, but also creates new insecurities. This persistent tension highlights a critical theoretical gap in current Human Security discourse, which often struggles to account for protracted states of legal and material deprivation in non-signatory transit countries, urging a the current structure of global governance need for theoretical refinement in the field. is incapable of responding to large-scale Academic and Theoretical Implications migration crises and requires a profound rethink (Hamilton Byrne et al. , 2. These human insecurities also directly contradict the principles of the United The Indonesian experience of managing Afghan Mohammad Rafi Hamidi et. Ai The Interplays between Government. Human Security and Geopolitics in . the study of forced migration and security. centric protection models toward more Firstly, this research contributes to the equitable, burden-sharing frameworks that conceptual expansion of Human Security by prioritize human dignity and empowerment focusing on the dimensions of Aopsychological as strategic imperatives for global stability. securityAo and Aoeconomic securityAo in situations The conclusion drawn from this analysis of protracted legal limbo. It argues that in the is that sustainable refugee management context of non-1951 Convention host states, structural violence is manifested not through imperatives with a clear legal framework. direct persecution but through bureaucratic This is not merely a policy suggestion, but a necessity for achieving lasting human psychological and economic insecurity that security and resilience, and is fundamental is often overlooked in traditional threat- centric security frameworks (Tadjbakhsh Development Goals(UNDP, 2. Sustainable and Chenoy 2. Secondly, governance by proposing a conceptual link between geopolitical shocks and the formal structure of state sovereignty. demonstrates that while geopolitical events . uch as the Taliban takeove. are external triggers, their detrimental impact is critically amplified by the internal legal vacuum of a host state. This phenomenon where informal governance interacts with external crises to create profound vulnerability establishes Indonesia as a critical case for developing a theoretical framework on AoSovereign AmbiguityAo in refugee studies. CONCLUSION This Afghan IndonesiaAos entangled between humanitarian obligations and the absence of a clear legal structure. The outcome is a prolonged period of AulimboAy everyday insecurity, unemployment, limited mobility, inadequate access to education, and emotional misery. From a human security standpoint, these factors constitute systemic vulnerabilities that jeopardize both refugeesAo well-being and host community In terms of refugee governance. IndonesiaAos reliance on informal, externally Thirdly, the analysis underscores the driven structures hinders accountability and systemic failures of the Global Refugee sustainability, leaving refugees dependent Regime. By showing that the capacity on foreign organizations for long-term Geopolitical events, such as wait (Tanu et al. , 2. perpetuate structural the TalibanAos return to power, aggravate violence in transit countries, the paper offers the situation by removing the option of a robust argument for the need to rethink the repatriation and diminishing global attention core mechanisms of global responsibility- to Afghans stranded in transit nations. sharing (Hamilton Byrne et al. , 2. This IndonesiaAos policy focus is frequently on state calls for a theoretical shift away from state- security and resource management, leaving Kawistara. Vol. No. Desember 2025: 374Ai388 refugee human security requirements unmet. first and most fundamental step is to establish This disparity demonstrates the limitations a transparent domestic legal framework for of informal governance and underscores The current situation in which the critical need for structured, rights- refugees live without a clear legal status has based solutions. Specifically, three lessons created an unprecedented Austate of limbo. Ay stick out. First. Indonesia should explore In the absence of a legal system, refugees establishing a domestic legal framework for are not recognized as citizens, nor as legal refugees that explains rights and obligations, immigrants, nor even as refugees with lowers dependency, and improves access to full rights. This legal vacuum has serious education and livelihoods. Second, refugee consequences: Deprivation of fundamental governance should expressly embrace a rights: Without legal status, refugees are human security lens, ensuring that access deprived of fundamental rights such as to health care, education, and psychosocial access to formal employment, education, assistance are viewed as essential rather than healthcare, and even freedom of movement. optional components of refugee protection. These Third, regional collaboration through ASEAN dependent on meager assistance from is critical, as displacement in Southeast Asia is a shared concern that necessitates shared vulnerability and exploitation: The ban on responses, ranging from resource pooling to legal work pushes refugees into the informal coordinated protective mechanisms. labor market, where they are exposed to In practice, establishing legal clarity, improving livelihood options, and developing regional solidarity will benefit not only refugee well-being but also IndonesiaAos Addressing the Afghan refugee crisis is thus more than just a humanitarian requirement. it is also a strategic step towards long-term peace and security in a region defined by mobility and geopolitical change. Increased exploitation, low wages, and dangerous working conditions. This situation not only undermines their dignity, but also creates the basis for increased illegal activities and even human trafficking. Long-term costs for the host community: The precarious situation of refugees imposes invisible but heavy economic and social pressures on host communities. Competition for limited resources and the growth of the underground economy can lead to social tensions. A comprehensive Policy Recommendations legal framework can transform refugees from Based The following policy suggestions mere consumers to productive members of are offered for Indonesia and other nations society by integrating them into the labor dealing with comparable refugee governance force and tax system, ultimately contributing issues, based on the lessons learnt from to sustainable economic growth. Therefore. IndonesiaAos experience: Indonesia should provide a sustainable framework for the rights and obligations of framework: Ending the Austate of limbo AuThe refugees by enacting national laws. This is Firstly, not only a humanitarian solution, but also Mohammad Rafi Hamidi et. Ai The Interplays between Government. Human Security and Geopolitics in . an investment in the long-term security Thirdly. Strengthening regional and and stability of both refugees and the host global cooperation: From individual burden to shared responsibility. The refugee issue Secondly. Adopt a comprehensive approach to human security: beyond border control Instead of focusing solely on border control and security measures, policymakers should adopt a comprehensive approach Refugee security goes beyond physical protection and includes mental and emotional well-being, human dignity and social opportunities. This approach includes: Employment authorization and financial independence: By legalizing the right to work for refugees, they can contribute to the local economy and increase their financial This not only relieves the financial burden on support organizations, but also gives refugees a sense of dignity and self-sufficiency, which is vital for their mental health. Ensuring access to education: Access to formal education is vital for refugee children and adolescents. This gives them the skills they need for the future and prevents one generation from becoming a lost generation. In addition, education is an important tool for social and cultural integration that helps reduce the isolation of Prioritizing mental health services: Due to the psychological trauma caused by war, violence, and uncertainty, refugees face high rates of mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Support programs should provide specialized mental health support in addition to physical treatment services to help refugees cope with their emotional challenges. Kawistara. Vol. No. Desember 2025: 374Ai388 is a shared responsibility and no country. Indonesia, can manage it alone. Regional and global cooperation is an absolute Indonesia regional organizations such as ASEAN and global organizations such as UNHCR to provide a more effective and coordinated response to large-scale migration. Fair Currently. AufrontlineAy countries are shouldering a heavy burden alone. Regional cooperation can lead to sharing of responsibility. This could include establishing regional financial funds, facilitating coordinated resettlement, and providing legal and safe pathways for Avoiding negative competition: Lack of cooperation can lead to negative competition among countries, where each country tries to be more restrictive in order to prevent the arrival of refugees. Regional where countries work together to seek more sustainable and humane solutions and prevent humanitarian catastrophes. Finally, the Indonesian experience shows that in todayAos geopolitically unstable world, effective refugee management requires a proactive, organized, and compassionate This is not only a moral duty, but also a necessity for building peace, stability, and human dignity for all. With these actions, governments can transform refugee management from a passive response to an active mechanism for regional resilience and shared security. BIBLIOGRAPHY