Episode one: A paradox and a dilemma
If you live without rights, far from your motherland, what happens when you die? Mozhgan’s little brother Mohammad speaks Bahasa Indonesia fluently. He knows people. If your relatives want your body sent home, who do they call? They call Mohammad.
In this episode, we find out what Mohammad does with the bodies.
Nicole and Mozhgan also visit Kalideres, a district of Jakarta where refugees have been detained, released to the streets, relocated and evicted. It’s a chaotic scene—refugees are angry with their treatment by UNHCR, so Nicole speaks to Ann Maymann, the UNHCR Representative to Indonesia.
By way of audio diaries and phone calls recorded over a year ago, Mozghan reveals what happened when her family was called in for their resettlement interview.
“It’s my first resettlement interview day. I’m on the street of UNHCR by the side door. It’s so nerve wracking. I’m literally shaking…”
Mozhgan reporting on evictions at Kalideres military compound
Further reading
The wait: Indonesia’s refugees describe life stuck in an interminable limbo, Nicole Curby, The Guardian Australia
In this episode
Mozhgan Moarefizadeh
Nicole Curby
Mohammad Moarefizadeh
Ann Maymann
Jemilla
Shahram
More information
The Wait was written and produced by Nicole Curby, and co-hosted by Mozhgan Moarefizadeh. Michael Green is the co-writer and supervising producer. Editorial support from Miles Martignoni at The Guardian Australia. Sound design by Bec Fary. Theme music by Emma Davis. Photo by Muhammad Fadli.
This project was supported by the Walkley Public Fund and a Judith Neilson Institute Freelance Grant for Asian Journalism.
Thank you
Tessa Rex, Gem Romuld, Trish Cameron, Anita Halim, André Dao, Patrick Tumewu and Ben Doherty.
Mozhgan’s home recording studio (Photo: Muhammad Fadli)
Transcript
Full transcript available here