Syrian Man Transported Home After 5 Years Of Seeking Asylum In Bali

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A Syrian man named Louay Shoukair has been transported back to his home country after 5 years of seeking asylum in Bali.

The Head of Bali Law and Human Rights Minister, Jamaruli Manihuruk confirmed that Louay was transported back to Syria on Wednesday morning (15/9) from Ngurah Rai Airport to Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta before finally flying to Lebanon. “Louay was transported from Ngurah Rai Airport on Wednesday around 11:40am with Batik Air before continuing his flight to Lebanon and then going to Syria by land.” Jamaruli said on Thursday (16/9).

Several months prior, Louay who was registered as an independent refugee from Syria seeking asylum in Bali came to the Detention House of Denpasar Immigration Office on June 9th 2021, and requested the authorities to transport him back to his home country as he has been facing uncertainty in looking for asylum for over 5 years in Bali. After communicating Louay’s request with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Immigration  approved his request and began the process on August 4th 2021.

Jamaruli also said that Louay was once seriously injured from a road accident in Bali, causing him to suffer with injuries to his neck, shoulder and right arm. “He wanted to go home in order to receive support and medical attention from his family in Syria and Lebanon.” Jamaruli added. Meanwhile, according to the data from UNHCR, there are a total of 13,343 refugees who have been looking for asylum in Indonesia, while 5,000 of them are the independent refugees who are not financially supported by any international organizations.