Indonesia Regrets Withdrawal of the US from the UN Human Rights Council
Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi
The Government of Indonesia regrets the United States decision to withdraw from the United Nations Human Rights Council.
“Indonesia deeply regrets the United Statesdecision to withdraw from the United Nations Human Rights Council,” Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi said in a statement on Wednesday (20/6).
Minister Retno mentioned that the Human Rights Council is a forum for multilateral cooperation and represents the international communitys commitment to uphold and promote the protection of human rights.
In addition, the Human Rights Council is also a beacon of hope for vulnerable communities around the world to raise awareness for protection from various human rights violations.
“Indonesia is aware that the work of the Human Rights Council is not yet perfect, but a reform process as required by other United Nations bodies such as the Security Council and the United Nations General Assembly requires a political commitment and a spirit of multilateral cooperation from United Nations members,” Retno said.
Retno asserted that Indonesia, together with other countries worldwide, will continue to contribute and work together to uphold and promote the protection of human rights through multilateral cooperation under the mandate of the Human Rights Council, including by strengthening the performance of the United Nations Human Rights Council.
The US: The UN Human Rights Council Reform Not Working
The US Government’s decision to withdraw from the United Nations Human Rights Council was presented by the US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, accompanied by the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Tuesday (19/6).
Haley explained that this decision was made after the US efforts to reform the United Nations Human Rights Council have not succeeded.
One of the reforms launched by the US is to kick out member states of the Human Rights Council of the United Nations which were human rights abusers.
“These reforms are needed in order to make the council a serious advocate for human rights,” Haley said.
The United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, deplored this US decision. “The United Nations human rights architecture plays an important role in promoting and protecting human rights throughout the world,” he said. (Ministry of ForeignAffairs/ES) (MUR/MMB/YM/Naster).
