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status, like adults, do not have permission to work. Indonesia has no alternative
immigration statuses available for these children.
Ali H., a 16-year-old Afghan asylum seeker, was considering taking a boat: “Next I’m asking
and enquiring to [UNHCR to] process my case. But it is difficult, a lot of expenses and a lot
of time, and you don’t know if you’ll get a positive or a reject. So I might take the boat. I
will borrow money from someone in Quetta, from family there.” 274 Arif B., a recognized
refugee and unaccompanied minor, who at the age of 15 narrowly escaped drowning on a
smuggler’s boat to Australia, was trying again: “I’ve made many attempts to go.… I keep
trying because the cases are very slow here.” 275
Barat Ali Batoor, a refugee and Afghan photographer of Hazara ethnicity, explained that
the limbo created by the refugee processing in Indonesia was difficult: “After eight or nine
months you are called for an interview, and then there’s more time to wait for the result.
It’s taking years, and people’s families are back home, needing money. At least on the
boats, you know your fate in 36 hours, in 24 hours.” Barat knew the risks he and his fellow
refugees faced: “People sell everything to come here, and they will have nothing if [the
boat goes down].” 276
274 Human Rights Watch interview with Ali H., Cisarua, September 9, 2012.
275 Human Rights Watch interview with Arif B., Cisarua, August 30, 2012.
276 Human Rights Watch interview with Barat Ali Batoor (real name), Cisarua, August 30, 2012.
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