Appreciating the Protection of Indonesian Citizens Abroad, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Holds HWPA Again

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia (Kemenlu RI) again held the Hassan Wirajuda Protection of Indonesian Citizens Award to appreciate the protection efforts for Indonesian citizens (WNI) abroad.

"This HWPA is something very important for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and all existing stakeholders", said Secretary of the Directorate General of Protocol and Consular Affairs, Didik Eko Pujianto, at a virtual HWPA press conference quoted by Antara, Sunday, October 9.

Didik said that there are three things that need to be emphasized in this year's HWPA, the first is regarding the duties and obligations of the state in protecting, which is a constitutional mandate so that it cannot be abolished.

Therefore, the award is a very important effort for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and all existing stakeholders.

Then, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also realized that efforts to protect Indonesian citizens cannot be done alone. Therefore, these efforts need to involve relevant stakeholders.

Next, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also seeks to invite all Indonesian people and related stakeholders to revive the spirit of protecting Indonesian citizens abroad. Therefore, the award is important to do.

Didik said that for seven consecutive years, HWPA has been held and has given appreciation to 133 individuals and institutions from 35 countries around the world.

For this year, HWPA carries a specific theme, namely strengthening the protection of Indonesian citizens after the COVID-19 pandemic, considering that efforts to protect Indonesian citizens during the pandemic in the last two years, he said, were very difficult to do.

The public can propose candidates for the 2022 HWPA recipients to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs via email: hwpa@kemlu.go.id no later than October 24, 2022.

Candidates for HWPA recipients are individuals, groups, institutions or legal entities that meet the following criteria; have made a significant contribution to protecting Indonesian citizens abroad beyond their professional obligations.

They are also expected to carry out special assignments in the context of protecting Indonesian citizens abroad with dedication, loyalty, and placing protection above personal and group interests.

Then, the recipient candidate is also expected to have implemented their capabilities, expertise, access, and network to play an active role in efforts to protect Indonesian citizens abroad, in addition to actively contributing to increasing public understanding and awareness of the issue of protecting Indonesian citizens sustainably, and has made innovative systems/policies/programs in the field of protecting Indonesian citizens.

The HWPA is given in eight categories, including staff of Indonesian representatives, heads of Indonesian representatives, work partners of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, partners of Indonesian representatives, regional agencies, journalists or media, civil society, and public services at Indonesian representatives.

Meanwhile, the evaluation of candidates is carried out by seven juries consisting of human rights activists, academics, journalists, and representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. While the awarding will be carried out by the Indonesian minister of foreign affairs in December 2022 in Jakarta.