President Jokowi Meets with UN Commissioner to Discuss Rohingya Issue

President Jokowi attends a meeting with High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Tuesday (6/2). (Photo by: OJI/Public Relations Division)

During a courtesy call with Indonesian President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo at the Merdeka Palace, on Tuesday (6/2) United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein applauds Indonesia’s role in resolving the Rohingya refugee issue.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Indonesian Minister of Law and Human Rights Yasonna H. Laoly said: “Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein continues to support Indonesia (to help resolving the issue) although numerous approaches and measures that we have done are not as easy as what are thought, and President Jokowi acknowledges that there are still many things to be done.”

According to Yasonna, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights believes that Indonesia can be a leader in efforts to resolve the issue because one of the countries that are well received in Myanmar and that take part in resolving the issue is Indonesia.

The Minister added that President Jokowi also informed the UN Commissioner about the President’s visit to Rohingya refugee camp in Bangladesh recently to meet with Rohingya refugees and to directly listen to their problems.

Furthermore, President Jokowi added that Indonesia wants to show that in a country with Muslim majority population, democracy and recognition of human rights can go hand in hand, Yasonna said.

“The Commissioner regards Indonesia as one of the role models. We do hope we can be a role model as the world’s biggest Muslim population country in addressing human right issues,” the Minister said.

In the meantime, Indonesian Deputy Foreign Minister A.M. Fachir added that the meeting between President Jokowi and the UN High Commissioner also raises worries that there will be bigger consequences if the issue is not dealt with and that it can escalate into a crisis.

“According to the Commissioner, all parties must be involved. He considers that Indonesia is as a country that can maintain communication with Myanmar. Zaid has a high hope that Indonesia can play its role,” Fachrir said. (FID/OJI/ES) (EP/YM/Naster)