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Navigating the paradox: Palestinian rights on the anniversary of human rights declaration
The current distressing situation in Gaza, which the UN experts have boldly pointed out as a genocide in the making, brings forward a litmus test for the efficacy of international law and the UN.
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Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi delivers a speech about the condition in Gaza during a United Nations General Assembly session in New York, the United States, on Nov. 28, 2023. (Antara/Foreign Ministry)
A
s world leaders are set to gather in Geneva to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) on Dec. 10-12, my role as an Indonesian representative in Geneve prompts a paradoxical position of celebration and concern.
As an envoy in “the Capital of Peace”, I recognize the international community’s deserved celebration of the UDHR’s 75-year achievements. However, the bitter truth of unmet promises is undeniable.
The fundamental rights of the Palestinian people remain unfulfilled. The Palestinians continue to endure severe violations, including the right to life and self-determination, a cornerstone of the UDHR. Intensifying global concerns, including those of Indonesia, about double standards and a one-sided approach to human rights are evident in the ongoing atrocities in Gaza.
The UDHR's principle of the universality of human rights rejects the idea that rights depend on cultural or political factors, affirming instead that all fundamental rights outlined in the Declaration are inherent to every individual by virtue of their humanity.
This foundational principle resonates powerfully in Indonesia's participation in the December event. We will strongly echo the foundational principle of the right to life, liberty, and security, for the Palestinians, explicitly delineated in Articles 3 and 5.
We cannot allow the anniversary to be hollow gestures divorced from the stark realities faced by millions in the Palestinian territories. Collectively, we must equally reflect on our shortcomings and ensure that international human rights law remains a robust defense against the heinous crimes unfolding in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
Every day, the swell of support is gaining momentum. Voices from every corner of the globe are joining the chorus, demanding justice, equality, and fulfillment of all human rights of Palestinians, allowing them to live freely in their own country as a sovereign state and an independent nation.
