Rejecting the US Proposal to Discuss Uighur Muslim Issues at UN Human Rights Council, Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Does Not Want Politicization

Illustration of the atmosphere in Xinjiang, China. (Wikimedia Commons/Colegota)

JAKARTA - Indonesia has firmly stated that it does not want the UN Human Rights Council to be used as an arena for politicization, as well as conducting dialogue with various countries, including OIC members, when the Indonesian delegation did not support holding a debate on alleged human rights violations against Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang, China, at the UN Human Rights Council.

"Why do we choose 'No', because we don't want the Human Rights Council to be politicized for purposes such as political rivalry," explained Director of Human Rights at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Achsanul Habib in a virtual Press Briefing Friday, October 7.

"The Human Rights Council is a constructive forum for meaningful dialogue, achieving the best possible results," he continued.

He further explained that the Indonesian delegation coordinated and consulted with all countries, both those who supported and rejected the proposed remediation.

"Including fellow member countries of the OIC (Organization of Islamic Cooperation) in the Human Rights Council," he said.

"With these developments, the Human Rights Council cannot be used for political purposes, it is not selective in choosing the issues discussed," he said.

Previously, in a written statement explaining Indonesia's stance on Friday, October 7, the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Indonesia to the United Nations, the WTO and other International Organizations in Geneva said, "Indonesia views that the approach proposed by the supporting country at the Human Rights Council today will not produce significant progress. means, mainly because it doesn't get

the approval and support of the countries concerned."

"Based on these considerations, Indonesia is not in a position to support the draft decision regarding the holding of a debate on the human rights situation in the Autonomous Region

Xinjiang Uyghur," the caption reads.

"Indonesia once again emphasizes its unwavering commitment to promoting and protecting human rights around the world, including in Xinjiang," the statement said.

It is known that Indonesia was one of the countries that voted 'No' in the vote on the proposed discussion on the issue of alleged human rights violations against Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang, China, which was held by the UN Human Rights Council, last Thursday.

The United States submitted a proposal to discuss Uighur Muslims at the UN Human Rights Council. In yesterday's vote, a total of 47 council members voted, of which 19 were against, 17 in favor and 11 abstaining.