Foreign Minister Retno: ASEAN Cannot Ignore Human Rights Issues In The Region

Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi delivered her remarks during the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapons Free Commission (SEANWFZ) meeting in Jakarta, Tuesday (11/7/2023) BETWEEN PHOTOS/Hafidz Mubarak A/nz

JAKARTA - Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi emphasized that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) should not ignore human rights issues that occur in the region.

As chairman of ASEAN this year, Indonesia reminded that the differences among ASEAN members should not be an excuse to abandon urgent human rights issues in Southeast Asia.

"Despite the differences, ASEAN must take advantage of dialogue to ensure sustainable progress in the field of human rights," said Retno when delivering his opening speech at the 56th Meeting of the ASEAN Foreign Minister (AMM) with representatives of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission for Human Rights (AICHR) reported by ANTARA, Tuesday, July 11.

According to Retno, the ASEAN Human Rights Dialogue is proof of ASEAN's maturity to engage in honest and open dialogue without mentioning names and embarrassing anyone because of that, the dialogue needs to be carried out regularly.

"We aim to release the Leader Declaration on the ASEAN Human Rights Dialogue," he said.

Furthermore, in the midst of an increasingly large crisis and competition that exacerbates human rights challenges globally, Retno hopes that ASEAN can set an example of its values globally in prioritizing constructive engagement, instead of mutual accusations.

"ASEAN must also unite in rejecting politicization and double standards while proving our ability to address problems in our own region," said Retno.

In this case, it is very important for AICHR to continue to grow and develop.

"The work must exceed capacity development activities and produce impacted local initiatives," he said, adding.

Regarding the increase in the role of AICHR, Retno hopes that AICHR programs will not be limited to capacity building only, but could be in the form of other initiatives that have a real impact.

In a meeting between the foreign ministers and representatives of AICHR, the issue of Myanmar still dominated the discussion. In addition to the Myanmar issue, the meeting also discussed issues on human trafficking (TPPO) as well as the impact of climate change on human rights.

Representatives highlight concerns over the increasing violence and the lack of progress on the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus (5PC).

Closing the meeting, Foreign Minister Retno said that AICHR must continue to promote human rights values in accordance with the regional context.

AICHR also needs to continue to voice constructive, objective, and proportional human rights promotion and protection in the three Pillars of the ASEAN Community in line with the 2021-2025 Action Plan.

"I want to reaffirm Indonesia's readiness to work together in achieving this important effort to promote and protect human rights," said Retno.