Indonesia Elected as President of the Human Rights Council, Hikmahanto: Increasingly Trusted by the International Community

Illustration of the UN Human Rights Council. (Wikimedia Commons/UNCTAD)

JAKARTA - The election of Indonesia as President of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) signifies the trust of the international community, said international law experts, hoping that the trust can be run well.

Indonesia was officially chosen by the member countries of the Asia-Pacific Group (APG) to be nominated as the President of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in 2026.

In his statement to the media, the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that this determination reflects the confidence of countries in the Asia Pacific region in Indonesia's role and leadership in advancing the human rights agenda at the global level.

The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the nomination for the President of the UN Human Rights Council in 2026 will be determined at the Human Rights Council Meeting on January 8, 2026.

"Indonesia is increasingly trusted by the international community to lead," said Professor of International Law at the University of Indonesia, Professor Hikmahanto Juwana SH, LL.M, Ph.D to VOI.id, Wednesday (24/12).

Furthermore, Hikmahanto said that he was confident that the process of electing Indonesia as President of the UN HA Council had been prepared for a long time.

"Maybe this is indeed the policy of Foreign Minister Sugiono to place Indonesian citizens in various international institutions and fully support them," explained Professor Hikmahanto.

It is known that Professor Hikmahanto, together with Professor Dr. Eddy Pratomo SH, MA, is also being prepared as a candidate for the Indonesian representative in international organizations.

Professor Eddy was nominated as a judge at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS). Meanwhile, Professor Hikmahanto was nominated as a member of the International Law Commission (ILC).

Previously, the spokesperson for the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Yvonne Mewengkang, told VOI.id some time ago, Indonesia carried out an impartial, objective and transparent leadership priority in the nomination of the President of the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2026 period.

"Indonesia carries the theme 'A Presidency for All', with priorities: impartial, objective, transparent leadership, strengthening dialogue and consensus, efficiency and rationalization of the Human Rights Council's work, strengthening technical cooperation, and bringing a perspective of developing countries and Asia Pacific," explained Yvonne.

"The President of the Human Rights Council in 2026 will come from the Asia Pacific region. Thus, the election will be held within the Asia Pacific Group (APG) and the results will be submitted at the Organizational Session of the Human Rights Council," explained Yvonne.

Later, the post will be held by the Deputy Permanent Representative of the Republic of Indonesia to the United Nations in Geneva, Ambassador Sidharto Reza Suryodipuro.

In that capacity, Indonesia will lead the way in the UN Human Rights Council's sessions and processes throughout 2026 in an objective, inclusive and balanced manner, the ministry said.

Professor Hikmahanto said that as President of the Human Rights Council, Indonesia is expected to run each session well and care for what is voiced by member states.

"My hope is that Indonesia will be better known, not only the country, but its people," he concluded.

It is known that at present, he is a member of the UN Human Rights Council for the period 2024-2026. Based on the regional rotation mechanism, the Asia-Pacific Group will take turns holding the Presidency of the Human Rights Council in the 20th cycle in 2026, so that the appointment of Indonesia is in line with the regional arrangements that have been agreed upon.

The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that Indonesia's election as President of the UN Human Rights Council strengthened Indonesia's human rights diplomacy profile and at the same time confirmed Indonesia's leadership at the international level.

"Indonesia will strive to carry out this trust as best as possible, continue to encourage dialogue and cooperation, and work together with all members of the UN Human Rights Council for the promotion and protection of human rights for all," said Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono in a post on the Menluri Instagram account.