RI to Become President of the UN Human Rights Council, DPR: Momentum for National Human Rights Reform

Member of Commission XIII of the DPR Mafirion responded to the appointment of Indonesia as President of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC). He hopes that the world's recognition of Indonesia will be a momentum to accelerate the reform of the enforcement of Human Rights (HAM) at the national level.

"Becoming President of the World Human Rights Council is not just international prestige, but a great responsibility to lead by example, dialogue, and the principle of global justice," Mafirion told reporters, Wednesday, January 7.

According to Mafirion, the international community's trust in Indonesia will strengthen Indonesia's diplomatic bargaining position in various international forums. He assessed that there were a number of strategic advantages that Indonesia could gain from the post.

"As a representation of the Global South, Indonesia will have a wider space to raise human rights issues from the perspective of developing countries, such as the right to development, social justice, poverty eradication, to the impact of climate change on vulnerable groups," he said.

In addition, Mafirion assessed that the appointment of Indonesia as President of the Human Rights Council also had an impact on improving Indonesia's international image and credibility as a country that upholds the values of democracy, peace, and human rights.

The member of the human rights commission believes that there is a greater influence on the direction of global human rights policies through the approach of dialogue, cooperation, and prevention of the politicization of human rights issues that often occur in international forums.

"In addition, leadership in the UN Human Rights Council also has the potential to be a strong impetus for accelerating human rights reform in the country," he said.

"Therefore, the increased international standards and attention must be used as a trigger to improve the national human rights protection system in a tangible way," added Mafirion.

Mafirion added that Indonesia's role as President of the World Human Rights Council would also strengthen Indonesia's leadership in the ASEAN region, especially in regional and humanitarian human rights issues.

The indirect impact, he said, is the increase in global confidence in the legal and political stability of Indonesia, which ultimately can create a more conducive investment and economic climate.

"This position really has to be used by Indonesia to increase the bargaining value in diplomacy both at the regional and global levels," said Mafirion.

As is known, Indonesia will be officially designated as President of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, Switzerland on Thursday, January 8.

The plan for the determination was conveyed by Deputy Minister of Human Rights (HAM), Mugiyanto, on Monday, January 5.