Mahfud MD Explains Indonesia's Achievements In Protecting Human Rights At The UN Forum

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam) Mahfud MD during the 50th Session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, Monday (13/6/2022). ANTARA/HO-Humas Kemenko Polhukam.

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam) Mahfud MD explained a number of achievements made by Indonesia regarding the protection of human rights (HAM) for every citizen at the UN Human Rights Council forum.

First, said Mahfud, Indonesia has a National Action Plan for Human Rights (Ranham) 2021-2025 which regulates the fulfillment of human rights for four main target groups, namely women, children, persons with disabilities and indigenous peoples.

"This action plan focuses on fulfilling and protecting human rights for four main target groups, namely women, children, people with disabilities and indigenous peoples," said Mahfud when delivering a speech at the 50th Session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, as quoted by ANTARA from a written statement, Monday, June 13.

According to Mahfud, as much as 85 percent of the entire population of Indonesia has received health insurance at this time. The guarantee, he said, is also part of the third target of sustainable development goals in the country and will continue to be increased until it reaches 100 percent.

In addition, Mahfud also said that Indonesia continues to reduce extreme poverty through various programs, including infrastructure development in all regions. In fact, he added, Indonesia has announced the elimination of extreme poverty by 2024.

Then, Mahfud said Indonesia was also improving access to education for all people through the allocation of 20 percent of the state budget for education.

"Indonesia is also increasing people's access to education by continuing to allocate 20 percent of the state budget for education. This has resulted in a drastic increase in the national literacy rate and gender equality in accessing education," he said.

Furthermore, the former Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court said that Indonesia is currently ratifying the International Convention on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances.

The ratification, he said, would complement 8 of the 9 main international human rights protection instruments.

Mahfud advised the UN Council to take three concrete actions to improve human life affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The three actions are that the Human Rights Council needs to ensure that everyone has equal rights in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, promote dialogue and cooperation to strengthen the protection of human rights, as well as the protection and fulfillment of women's rights.

“What can the UN Human Rights Council do to improve human life post-pandemic? First, the Human Rights Council must ensure that everyone has equal rights in dealing with COVID-19 and the pandemic. Second, promote dialogue and cooperation to strengthen the protection of human rights, especially in times of crisis. Third, the protection and fulfillment of women's rights must continue," said Mahfud.