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Mahfud left key issues unaddressed at UNHRC: Rights groups
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The 50th session of the UN Human Rights Council commences in Geneva on Monday. (AFP/Fabrice Coffrini)
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oordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Mahfud MD reiterated Indonesia’s commitment to protecting human rights at a recent United Nations conference, but critics have noted that he failed to address the country’s own ongoing rights issues.
Speaking at the 50th session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva on Monday, Mahfud said that as a pluralistic country of more than 270 million people, Indonesia was committed to upholding human rights for all.
“For us, ensuring respect for human rights is a fundamental element of our continued existence, unity and prosperity,” Mahfud said.
He pointed to the Indonesian National Human Rights Action Plan for 2021 to 2025 – introduced last year in a presidential regulation signed by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo – which focuses on the fulfillment and protection of human rights for four main target groups: women, children, people with disabilities and indigenous communities.
Indonesia is in the process of ratifying the Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and will later seek to ratify the other eight core international human rights instruments.
Mahfud went on to say that the COVID-19 pandemic had had negative impacts on human rights and had rolled back development gains. He called on the UNHRC to ensure equality in the fight against COVID-19 and future pandemics.
“The council must, therefore, strive to reinforce its commitment to fulfilling the right to health, including through fair and equitable access to vaccines for all,” Mahfud said.
