🇮🇩Indonesia · UNGA 81 speech

Mr. President, my delegation takes the floor to exercise its right of reply to the statements made by the representatives of Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. Indonesia takes all credible allegations of human rights violations seriously. Our national institutions and legal mechanisms including the independent National Human Rights Commission, is working continuously to address such allegations. Indonesia's record of engagement with the international human rights system speaks for itself. Indonesia is currently serving as the president of the UN Human Rights Council. After serving six terms as a member of the Council, reflecting the highest level of trust from the international community to Indonesia. That record alone reflects sustained engagement, not a selective one when it's convenient. We also wish to note that arrangements for any visit by the High Commissioner should be agreed between the host state and the Office of the High Commissioner, as applied to every member state. They are not set by a third date or any regional body. Mr. President, any serious discussion of Papua must reflect the full picture. Innocent civilians, teachers, health workers, and many others have fallen victim to violence by armed criminal groups. In recent weeks, Three civil servants were massacred after delivering livestock assistance to the locals. A civilian driver transporting basic commodities was also killed. Nine women and children were abducted by an armed group. These are not acts of peaceful political expression. Attacking innocent civilians and murdering civil servants are criminal acts. Indonesia has a responsibility to protect all of its citizens. Law enforcement must and will remain subject to Indonesia's laws and our international human rights obligations. We therefore categorically reject any attempt to present disinformation or misinformation about human rights situations in Indonesia. Indonesia will continue to engage constructively through relevant mechanism. Some countries chose to omit facts about civilian victims from its narrative while advancing sweeping allegations towards Indonesia. Such selectivity undermines the credibility of its stated concern for human rights. Human rights concerns deserve serious discussion, but it should never be used as a tool to justify violence or advocate separatism. Let me quote the statement delivered by Foreign Minister Sugiono just a few days ago. "From Aceh to Papua, from Miangas to Rote, Indonesia is one people. Indonesia is one nation. To our neighbors, friends, and partners, Let there be no doubt, Indonesia stands strong today, grounded firmly in democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. And furthermore, dear neighbors and friends, Indonesia has always been and will always be your trusted partner in the maintenance of peace and security, the promotion of democracy and human rights, and the advancement of sustainable development. I thank you, Mr. President.