Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi urged all countries to strengthen their commitment to upholding human rights during the 52nd session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland on Monday (2/27/2023).

"The 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights must be a momentum to strengthen our commitment to upholding human rights," she said in her speech, referring to the 52nd session of the UN Human Rights Council that was held in conjunction with the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights..

While the Universal Declaration of Human Rights has facilitated transformations towards a more just, equal, and inclusive world, the minister emphasized the importance of close cooperation of all countries to achieve this.

"The question now is, what will we do? Will we remain silent and indifferent? Or will we work together to do even better?" she asked.

All countries should focus on three aspects to strengthen human rights cooperation, namely taking actual actions for humanity, preventing human rights violations and strengthening human rights architecture in the UN Human Rights Council.

"We cannot turn a blind eye to the suffering of our brothers and sisters in Palestine. The incident in Huwara shows that the human rights and humanitarian situation in Palestine is deteriorating," the minister said, referring to the destruction of the village by Israeli far rights.

Secondly, she urged all countries to increase efforts to prevent human rights violations, saying that UN member states have a responsibility to ensure affirmative policies, equal access to opportunities and resources, and mechanisms to seek justice for victims.

In addition, the minister highlighted the importance of acknowledging past human rights violations and mistakes to prevent the same practices from recurring. The government of Indonesia, she said, has been maintaining its commitment to rehabilitate victims without neglecting legal settlement.

"This year, President Joko Widodo has acknowledged and regretted 12 incidents of past human rights violations," she said.

The minister called on immediate efforts to strengthen the human rights architecture in the UN Human Rights Council.

"Impartiality, transparency, and dialogue must be the main 'spirit' of the UN Human Rights Council. We must continue to keep the Council from politicization and use for a tool for geopolitical rivalry," she said.

In the region, Indonesia continues to strive to strengthen human rights mechanisms. As the Chair of ASEAN, Indonesia has declared that it will strengthen the mandate of the ASEAN Human Rights Commission, the ASEAN Commission on the Protection of Women and Children, and institutionalize regional human rights dialogue.

(ndt/antara)