"The Israeli and American attacks on Iran is part of a violation of international law, it is also part of a crime against humanity (a gross human rights violation). These attacks have killed more than 160 school children and their teachers, killed legitimate state leaders and officials, and is also part of perpetuating acts of genocide committed against the Palestinian people" – YLBHI Chairperson Muhammad Isnur

On March 1 the Civil Society Coalition launched a petition rejecting Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto's foreign policy positions starting from the recent Reciprocal Trade Agreement (RTA) between the US and Indonesia, Indonesia's involvement in the Board of Peace (BoP) and plans to send the Indonesian Military (TNI) to Gaza, as well as the US and Israel's attacks on Iran. The YLBHI also expressed its rejection of the absence of space for community participation in Prabowo's decision to agree to these policies.

The YLBHI also believes that there was a constitutional violation committed by Prabowo because he did not involve the House of Representatives (DPR) as mandated under Article 11 of the Constitution where all policies or international agreements need to be discussed and consulted with the DPR. Indonesia has lost its position as a non-aligned country that prioritises world peace as written in the preamble to the 1945 Constitution and this has pushed Indonesia into the abyss of imperialism.

The BoP which was formed by the US as a means of "bringing peace" to the land of Palestine has turned into a "Board of War" because the US as the initiator of the BoP, has instead of maintaining peace and security in the eastern region, actually initiated an attack on Iran in the middle of nuclear negotiations at the end of February. The attack on Iran has also killed around 1,000 people in the capital Tehran including children and civilians. This is an extraordinary war crime.

The YLBHI strongly condemns Indonesia's support for the US-Israeli attack on Iran. And this attack is totally contrary to international law and tarnishes Indonesia's good name as president of the UN Human Rights Council because it has been incompetent in carrying out its duties. This sets a bad precedent for Indonesia, and has become the absolute reason why Indonesia is must withdraw from the BoP.

Indonesia's oil reserves are only sufficient for 20 days so if Iran continues to close the Strait of Hormuz and at the same time there is a decline in the value of the rupiah this will have an impact on domestic economic pressure and inflation which affects domestic social and political conditions. Seeing this situation, the YLBHI believes that Indonesia is not ready to face the current global situation.

Therefore, the YLBHI is urging the government and DPR to reevaluate Indonesia's agreement in the BoP Charter and return to the free and active politics that Indonesia has pursued for decades. We also reject sending TNI troops to Gaza if there is no UN Security Council mandate. This will further worsen global stability and worsen Indonesia's image as a country that has always supported Palestinian independence. Since joining the BoP and signing the RTA with the US, Indonesia has been trapped in the abyss of imperialism and the perpetuation of human rights violations globally.

[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Board of War, Strategi Perdamaian Palsu AS-Israel".]

Source: https://ylbhi.or.id/informasi/siaran-pers/board-of-war-strategi-perdamaian-palsu-as-israel/