Respect for human rights, and their promotion and protection, are enshrined in our national Constitution and further promulgated through various laws and legislation. These constitutional mandates are reflected in our membership of the Commission on Human Rights and, now, the Human Rights Council.
It is our strong conviction that the Council will bring about changes on the ground and promote respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all.
This year, the Council will enter its fourth-year cycle and it is therefore, timely for us to make an honest assessment of whether this august body has fulfilled its mandate.
In Indonesia’s experience as a member of the Council, the innovative Universal Periodic Review mechanism (UPR) has proved an inclusive and impartial process and promoted dialogue and cooperation among States. The Council has indeed proved to be more effective than its predecessor.
Nevertheless, there is still a need to preserve and build on the Council’s achievements and to redress its shortcomings.
We believe that the work of the Council could be enhanced in certain areas, notably through greater rationalization of meetings and resolutions. The matters of polarization and the politicization of human rights issues also need to be effectively addressed.
We are concerned that there are still significant gaps between resolutions and their actual implementation, as the perennial issue of Palestine demonstrates. Therefore, it is imperative that the Council remains committed to taking concrete steps to ensure the implementation of its resolutions.
We also note that more work should be done to address the economic, social and cultural rights for all, including the right to development and protection of migrant workers.
We also hope the review process will serve its purpose without diverting from the substantive work and main objectives of the Council. The review process should be transparent, inclusive, consensus-based and non-politicized. We should not repair what is not broken.
We share the view that development, human rights, and democracy are inseparable and mutually reinforcing. This strong correlation reflects the fact that economic development is conducive to democracy. Indeed, democracy is not an end in itself; it is also a means of fostering human rights and development.
Indonesia has recently experienced robust political developments with successful legislative and presidential elections held in 2009. This process has been further enhanced by more effective functioning of democratic institutions in the country.
We have also made considerable progress over the past ten years with the implementation of the National Action Plan on Human Rights, notably with regard to the six pillars of the Plan. Now we embark on the third phase, emphasizing the empowerment of the human rights machinery at local and provincial level.
Our government development strategies have also adopted a human rights dimension, incorporating a triple-track “pro-poor, pro-growth and pro-job” approach. In addition, these development strategies aim to expedite our efforts to fulfill our Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) commitments.
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As a multi-ethnic and pluralistic society, Indonesia has a responsibility to promote tolerance and understanding among different cultures, religions and political systems. Several initiatives have been conducted, including various interfaith dialogues, Global Inter-media Dialogues, and the Bali Democracy Forum. We recently held the second Bali Democracy Forum in December 2009 which focused on promoting synergy between democracy and development.
In our region, we have recently established the ASEAN Inter-Governmental Commission on Human Rights. It is our hope that the future evolutionary work of this Commission will strike a balance between the promotion and protection aspects in accordance with international standards.
Similarly, as mandated by its Charter, the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) is establishing the Independent Permanent Commission on Human Rights. Indonesia foresees that this future Commission will be credible and independent, and will strengthen efforts in promoting and protecting the human rights of its people.
The end of Indonesia's membership of the Council in June of this year shall not lessen our commitment to this body. Indonesia will continue to contribute actively to the work of the Council.
Human rights remain paramount in the affairs of our nation. To this end, Indonesia presents its candidature to the Council for the period 2011-2014 and kindly requests the valuable support of the members.
Finally, Indonesia’s efforts to promote and protect human rights are ongoing and part of a lifelong process. We know that history will judge every step we take. We certainly hope that this august Council’s legacy will benefit our future generations.
This edited article was presented by Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani - The Permanent Representative of the Republic of Indonesia to the United Nations, World Trade Organization and other international organizations in Geneva - during his speech at the General Segment of the 13th Session of the Human Rights Council, Geneva 3 March 2010
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