Eka Permadhi, Jakarta – The Indonesian Legal Aid Institute (YLBHI) has condemned the attendance of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto at the inaugural Board of Peace (BoP) meeting in Washington D.C. on February 19.
The organisation believes that this has the potential to weaken Indonesia's commitment to upholding international law and protecting human rights (HAM).
YLBHI Chairperson Muhammad Isnur stated that the government should prioritise international legal mechanisms, especially when Indonesia plays an important role in global human rights issues.
"The YLBHI believes that the public does not need many reasons why Indonesia must immediately leave the BoP. Indonesia must prioritise existing international mechanisms and laws", said Isnur in a written statement on Friday February 20.
He emphasised that Indonesia's participation in the forum risks giving rise to a contradiction with Indonesia's historical stance which has consistently supported Palestinian independence. Therefore, the YLBHI urges the government to immediately evaluate its membership on the BoP.
"Indonesia must fully support Palestinian independence, not side with parties suspected of committing crimes against humanity", he said.
The YLBHI noted at least four main problems if Indonesia remains in the BoP. First, it is considered to have the potential to ignore international human rights law and damage the credibility of Indonesian diplomacy. Second, it is considered to be contrary to the aspirations of the Indonesian public that has always strongly supported Palestine.
Third, the YLBHI highlighted the importance of respecting the legal process at the International Criminal Court (ICC) regarding alleged human rights violations in the Palestinian conflict. Fourth, the BoP is said to not have an accountable and transparent human rights mechanism that is common in international organisations.
In addition to this, the YLBHI also touched on US President Donald Trump's statement which was seen as showing a disdain for international law, thus adding to concerns about the direction of the forum.
On this basis, the YLBHI urges the government to review Indonesia's involvement in the BoP and prioritise diplomacy that is in line with its constitutional mandate and international human rights principles.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "YLBHI Kecam Kehadiran Prabowo di Rapat BoP, Desak Indonesia Keluar dari Forum".]
Source: https://aktual.com/ylbhi-kecam-kehadiran-prabowo-di-rapat-bop-desak-indonesia-keluar-dari-forum/
