The Jakarta Post editorial board emphasized the importance of Indonesia’s reelection as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and its commitment to implementing the council’s recommendations. Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi stated in a speech at the UNHRC’s annual meeting in Geneva that the government needs to demonstrate its intention to contribute to ending conflicts globally. However, the government must also prove that it is not seeking another term on the council to hide its human rights violations at home. It must make it clear that it will not use its position to deflect criticism. Securing another term on the UNHRC and enacting the council’s recommendations should be the government’s top priorities.
The editorial board stressed that Indonesia must show its commitment to the council’s human rights principles at home. The Council’s recommendations for Indonesia include protecting the rights of minorities, ensuring free speech and press, ending discrimination against women and members of the LGBTQ+ community, and stopping violations against domestic workers. The government must also respect the rights of indigenous peoples and ensure their participation in decision-making processes.
Indonesia must address the human rights situation in Papua, where violence and discrimination against the indigenous people have been ongoing for decades. The government must grant access to international human rights organizations and journalists to investigate the situation, and it must hold accountable those responsible for human rights violations.
The editorial board also emphasized the importance of protecting freedom of expression and the press. The government must end its practice of restricting media outlets and censoring journalists. Journalists must be able to report on issues without fear of prosecution or intimidation. The government must also protect activists who speak out against human rights abuses and ensure their safety.
Indonesia’s commitment to the UNHRC and human rights must also extend to its foreign policies. The editorial board urged the government to reconsider its relationship with Myanmar in light of the military coup and ongoing human rights abuses against the Rohingya people. The government must work with the international community to pressure Myanmar to end the violence and ensure the safe return of refugees. The government must also support the human rights of Uighur Muslims in China and address the ongoing conflicts in Syria and Yemen.
In conclusion, the Jakarta Post editorial board stressed the importance of Indonesia’s reelection to the UNHRC and its commitment to implementing the council’s recommendations. The government must show its commitment to human rights principles both at home and abroad and prioritize the safety and well-being of all its citizens. Securing another term on the council is not just a matter of prestige but also a matter of accountability and responsibility.
