Joint Statement Of P20 Session No Palestinian Issues, Just Discussing The Impact Of War In Ukraine, Puan: Unbalanced

WHO calls for an immediate cessation of violence in Palestine. (Photo: Twitter/@WHOOPt)

JAKARTA - The chairman of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, expressed his objection because in the Joint Statement (joint statement) at the G20 Parliamentary Speaker's Summit or the 9th P20 in India, it was not touched on the issue of Palestinian peace. Together with a number of other parliamentary leaders, Puan expressed her objection.

The Joint Statement itself is a conclusion from various session sessions at the P20 Summit which is a parliamentary forum for the G20 countries. After several days of the trial, the members of P20 made conclusions about global issues that were discussed during the trial.

Of the 29 points of joint statement, one of them is the issue of peace related to conflicts and wars of a number of countries. At the joint statement, P20 highlighted the suffering of the people of a warring country and the bad effects of war and conflict for the whole world.

Although alluding to the impact of the war in Ukraine which is in conflict with Russia, the P20 did not mention the issue of Palestinian independence. In fact, the escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian war is currently rising. At least 2,000 people have died from both sides due to the latest war conditions.

A number of countries then initiated the application for joint resistance (joint objections) because the issue of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was not included in the conclusion of the P20 Summit. Indonesia led by Puan also signed an objection statement in the hope that the Palestinian issue would be included in the joint statement of the P20 Session.

"This review was made not because we did not agree to the issue of Ukraine, but because other issues were not included in the world, such as the Palestinian issue, it seemed that it had become unbalanced," said Puan.

Several other countries that also signed objection statements are Turkey, China, South Africa and Russia. The following is the content of the joint statement signed by the chairman of parliaments of countries that object because the issue of Palestinian independence was not touched on the joint statement of the P20 Session:

"We, who signed below, would like to express our objections regarding paragraph 20 of the Joint Statement of the 7th G20 Parliamentary Chairperson Summit (P20) in New Delhi, India."

This paragraph does not reflect the current situation where conflicts and war are taking place in many parts of the world. It is unfortunate that the paragraph ignores the increasing conflict in Palestine, while we must uphold the principle of justice in maintaining global peace and stability, especially considering that this conflict has had a negative impact on many civilians, most women, children, and health workers; and most importantly it has had a significant impact on global energy security.

In the 20th joint statement of the 9th P20 Speaker's Summit, there is indeed no point that expresses support for peace over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. At that point only explained about efforts to support peace over the Russia-Ukrania conflict.

The sound of points in the joint statement in question is:

We are deeply concerned about the magnitude of human suffering and the adverse effects of war and conflict around the world.

Regarding the war in Ukraine, while recalling discussions in Bali, we reaffirm our national position and the resolution adopted at the UN Security Council and the UN General Assembly (A/RES/ES-11/1 and A/RES/ES-11/6) and underline that all countries must act in accordance with the overall goals and principles of the United Nations Charter.

In line with the UN Charter, all countries must refrain from threats or the use of violence to seek an acquisition of territory that is contrary to the territorial integrity and sovereignty or political independence of any country. The use or threat of the use of nuclear weapons is unacceptable.

"We hope that the objections raised by Indonesia, Turkey, China, South Africa and Russia can be considered by the P20 forum so that issues regarding peace in Palestine also get attention," said Puan.

Puan also discussed the issue of Palestinian independence when she held a bilateral meeting with the Chairman of the Turkish National Assembly, Numan Kurtulmus. The meeting of the two parliamentary chairmen was held on the sidelines of the P20 Summit.

At the start of the meeting, Puan supported Turkey's efforts for peace between Israel and Palestine.

"I appreciate the Turkish initiative that continues to make diplomatic efforts to defuse the conflict. We must avoid civilians becoming victims of the current war and conflict in Palestine," said Puan.

In order to create Israeli-Palestinian peace, the first woman to serve as Chair of the Indonesian House of Representatives voiced that acts of violence should be stopped immediately. Puan reminded that many victims had fallen as a result of the war.

"Violence will only lead to the next violence (cycle of violence) which eventually becomes a victim of civilians," said Bung Karno's grandson.

In front of the Speaker of the Turkish Parliament, Puan also encouraged the importance of world countries immediately providing humanitarian assistance or opening up humanitarian corridors. He also encouraged the international community to provide assistance in efforts to open blockades for residents in the Gaza Strip.

"It is also necessary to immediately resolve the root of the problem in Palestine. This can be done by realizing the formation of an independent Palestinian state, in accordance with the agreed parameters at the United Nations," said Puan.

With the issuance of the joint statement, the 9th P20 Speaker's Summit in India officially ended. Puan congratulated India for India's success as the host.

"I must express my highest appreciation to the Indian Parliament, for its hospitality, and excellent event arrangements," said the PMK Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture.

Puan also expressed hope that the success of the mother's P20 session could be repeated at the 10th P20 Speaker's Summit with the Brazilian Parliament which will host.

"While looking forward to a return meeting in 2024 under Brazil's G20 Presidency, we extend our best wishes to the Brazilian Parliament for the 10th P20 Summit," said Puan.

In this multilateral forum, Puan was present with the Chairman of the Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Agency (BKSAP) Fadli Zon, Deputy Chairperson of BKSAP Gilang Dhielafararez, as well as Member of BKSAP Charles Honoris and Irine Badminton Roba Putri. Also accompanying Puan, namely the Indonesian Ambassador to India Ina Krisnamurthi and the Secretary General of the Indonesian House of Representatives Indra Iskandar.