REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, urged the government to review the revision of penal code, which is now being discussed at the parliament. The proposed amendments, he noted, may criminalize the large section of poor, marginalized, and minority communities, including the LGBTIQ.
Zeid also reminded that the hateful rhetoric may appear as an attempt to divide the nation. "The LGBTI Indonesians already face increasing stigma, threats, and intimidation," he noted during a press conference in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Also read: Zeid asks Indonesia not to discriminate LGBT people
On the other hand, Zeid said the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) will answer an invitation sent by the President Joko Widodo to visit Papua. OHCHR will assist the human rights implementation in the country's most eastern island.
"In the course of our discussions, over the past two days, the government of Indonesia had invited us to visit Papua, and we will send a mission soon. I thank the government for the invitation," Zeid emphasized.
However, he is yet to set the date for the mission to Papua. "We will send the mission as soon as possible. We just spoke yesterday (on the invitation to visit Papua)," the UN high commissioner noted.
In his opening remarks, Zeid expressed his concern about the number of reports on human rights issues in Papua. "I am concerned about the increasing number of reports on the excessive use of force by security forces, harassment, arbitrary arrests, and detentions in Papua," he stated, while adding that severe malnutrition has been reportedly occurring in the remote areas of the island.
Hence, the upcoming visit of OHCHR to Papua and West Papua provinces may clear any confusion on the reports, as well as provide an effective solution to the issue.
Apart from Papua, the high commissioner also expressed his concerns over the serious human rights violations against farmers, workers, and indigenous communities, mainly as indicated by the number of reports on land grabbing and environmental degradation. "(Hence), there is a clear need for inclusive dialogue and consultation," he suggested.
During the talk, Zeid lauded the Indonesian government's commitment to deal with the human rights issues. "Inviting us (the OHCHR) is, in itself, a testament to how seriously a state takes its human rights obligations. It demonstrates openness to constructive dialogue and the willingness to collaborate to ensure the promotion and protection of the human rights of all," he stressed.
Apart from Zeid, the press conference was attended by the Eshila Maravanyika, the Acting Director of UN Information Center (UNIC) Jakarta; as well as Cynthia Veliko, the regional representative of OHCHR for Southeast Asia.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights arrived in Jakarta on Feb 5 to serve as a speaker at a Regional Human Rights Conference, hosted by the Foreign Affairs Ministry, in order to commemorate the 70th Year of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and 25th Year of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action.
After the conference, Zeid met Widodo, as well as civil society representatives working on human rights and religious leaders. On Feb 8, the high commissioner is scheduled to leave Indonesia and visit Port Moresby, as well as Fiji, from Feb 9 to 12.
Ikuti Whatsapp Channel Republika