Statement by the Delegation of Indonesia at the Interactive Dialogue on the Annual Report of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
Mr. President,
Madam High Commissioner,
My delegation takes note of the annual report of the High Commissioner, which provide us with an overview of the works of the Office of the High Commissioner during 2012, in carrying out its primary responsibility for promoting and protecting the enjoyment and full realization of human rights for all.
In making this statement, I wish to associate myself with the statements made by Pakistan on behalf of the OIC and Iran on behalf of the NAM.
Mr. President,
Indonesia has always been committed to efforts to advance the promotion and protection of human rights, at the national and regional as well as global level, and we continue to translate such commitment into actions.
Nationally, the ratification of the International Convention on the Protection of Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Family and the two Optional Protocols of the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict, and on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, are among the recent legal initiatives in Indonesia.
Equally, we are proud to be among the fourteen countries in the forefront of the first session of the second cycle of UPR mechanism in May last year. Indonesia accepted 150 recommendations which constitutes more than 10 fold increase compared to the recommendations accepted during the first cycle.
At the regional level, the adoption of the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration last November in Phnom Penh is another clear example of ASEAN member countries’ commitment to ensure significant progress, in the further development of human rights mechanism for ASEAN. The Declaration will serve as a common reference for all ASEAN Member Countries in advancing the cooperation in the area of human rights.
Likewise, Indonesia continues to constructively contribute to the credibility and effective work of the OIC Independent Permanent Commission on Human Rights, including through hosting the inaugural session of the Commission in Jakarta last year.
Indonesia’s continual engagement with HR machineries reflects our stanch commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights at the global level. High Commissioner’s participation in the Fifth Bali Democracy Forum and her visit to Indonesia last November – upon the invitation of the Indonesian Government, signifies our constructive and mutual cooperation. Current coordination and consultations on the country visit by Special Procedures Mandate Holders to Indonesia underline the importance of agreed proceeding and programs prior to the visit, in order to ensure successful country visits.
Mr. President,
My delegation appreciates the efforts by the Office in facilitating a series of expert meetings, culminating in the Rabat Plan of Action on the Prohibition of Advocacy of National, Racial or Religious Hatred that Constitutes Incitement to Discrimination, Hostility or Violence. This is not only relevant but also timely in the growing incidents of incitement to hatred at all levels and in the common endeavors to strike the equilibrium between the freedom of expression and its socio-cultural ramification at the broader global context.
As newest party to the International Convention on Migrant Workers, Indonesia notes various initiatives by the Office in addressing xenophobia and public perceptions of migrants, as well as promoting the rights of migrants at international borders. Further measures are needed to enhance the profile of migrant workers with clear human rights perspective, in the post-2015 development agenda. The upcoming General Assembly’s High level Dialogue on International Migration and Development will be instrumental in this regard.
On the strengthening of treaty body system, we are fully supportive to the continuing consultations of the open-ended inter-governmental process in New York. The role of Indonesia and Iceland as facilitators is contributory to bring consensual outcomes of this delicate process.
Mr. President,
To conclude, as a faithful advocate of dialogue and cooperation – Indonesia wishes to refer and underline the statement by the President of the UN General Assembly in his opening statement last Monday, particularly the quotation from his predecessor – Mr. Jan Eliasson of Sweden on the guiding principles of the Human Rights Council, namely universality, impartiality, objectivity and non-selectivity, constructive international dialogue, and cooperation.
It is only with these principles, the Council will be able to work and function effectively for promoting and protecting the enjoyment and full realization of human rights for all. These will provide an enabling international atmosphere, which facilitates member states to continue significant progress at home.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Geneva, 28 February 2013
