The Honorary Consul of Ukraine in Bali, I Nyoman Astama, issued a reminder to Ukrainian nationals on the Island of Gods to “follow local rules,” following an official announcement that unlawful protesters may face deportation.
Speaking to Coconuts via text-message today, I Nyoman Astama was referring to a peaceful protest against Russia’s invasion at a public park in Denpasar on Tuesday afternoon, which was reportedly attended by around 50 Ukrainian nationals.
Local outlets reported that the crowd was dispersed by the Denpasar Police and the East Denpasar Police after law enforcers deemed that the rally was not authorized. They were later asked to go to the Ukrainian Consulate.
“[We were] informed [by police and immigration officers] that foreign citizens are not allowed to take part in peaceful demonstrations or protests or any forms of mass gatherings in public areas regardless of the purpose. This is [because such gatherings] breach regulations during the pandemic,” Nyoman said.
He revealed that the Consulate had written a letter to the Ukrainian community asking them to not stage any protests in Bali. However, he said, it seemed that not all Ukrainians on the island received the letter.
“As we know, a few people decided to take a photo together in front of Bajra Sandhi Monument to show support for their families,” he said, adding that they left immediately to comply with the police’s orders, before they headed to the Consulate.
The protesters, he said, proceeded to hold the demonstration at the Consulate for no more than 30 minutes. Nyoman said that people from Russia and Belarus also showed up to express their support.
“We will work closely with the Ukrainian community through available channels to inform [them] about local laws. We would like to remind Ukrainian citizens in Bali to follow all the rules as the consequence of deportation could be implied by the [Bali] office of Ministry of Law and Human Rights for any breaches,” he said.
Previously, the Head of Bali Office of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, Jamaruli Manihuruk, said in a written statement that the office may impose a firm sanction as stipulated in the 2011 Immigration Law Number 6 on unlawful Ukrainian protestors.
Under the law, Indonesia could deport foreigners who are found to have disobeyed local regulations or violated the purpose of their visas.
According to the Ministry, there are 464 Ukrainians currently on the island, with 453 of them holding temporary stay permits and 11 holding permanent residence permits. According to the Ukrainian Embassy in Indonesia, some 3,000 Ukrainians are currently residing in Indonesia.
None of the Ukrainian nationals in Bali have applied for repatriation, Jamaruli added.
According to an official at the Denpasar Police, Police Commissioner I Made Uder, while the police empathized with the current situation in Ukraine, protesters should still follow local regulations and obtain permits before organizing rallies.
In addition, he said, the Tuesday rally occurred just as the Balinese people were going to observe Nyepi or Day of Silence (which fell yesterday), and thus it was improper to gather crowds during this time.
Read also: Ukrainians in Bali condemn Russia’s invasion, call for peace and justice
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