Indonesia’s 4th Cycle Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Report was approved by the UN Human Rights Council during the 52nd UN Human Rights Council Session held in Geneva, Switzerland on March 27, 2023.
During the UPR Dialogue, the Chair of the Indonesian Delegation and Deputy Permanent Representative Grata Endah Werdaningtyas announced that Indonesia had agreed to back 205 recommendations and noted 59 recommendations from UN member countries.
Before this, Indonesia had presented the report and joined the UPR Dialogue series from November 9 to 11, 2022.
Five key recommendation issues
During the dialogue meeting, Indonesia showed partial support for five recommendations from UN member countries regarding issues as follows:
- Protecting and promoting gender equality and the rights of women and children;
- Strengthening legal and institutional frameworks; and
- International human rights instruments.
“The Indonesian government has decided to support 205 recommendations. This represents 76% of the total 269 recommendations, an increase from the 74% recommendations received in the third UPR cycle. This is not only progress but also proof of the Government’s firm commitment to continue to make improvements in the field to ensure people’s rights,” said Grata in a written statement from Kemlu.go.id.
Criteria that have been considered
When deciding whether or not to accept UPR recommendations, consultations are held with a range of domestic stakeholders, such as Ministries/Agencies, National Human Rights Institutions, and civil society organizations.
Various criteria are taken into account when evaluating the recommendations, including:
- The Indonesian government must base its policy and regulation formulations on a national context, belief systems, and values as the primary entity responsible for promoting, protecting, and ensuring the fulfillment of human rights;
- Supported recommendations must align with the State’s Constitution;
- The recommendations are within the scope of Indonesia’s national priorities and long-term developmental plans; and
- The recommendations are in accordance with Indonesia’s internationally agreed norms, positions, and commitments, including previous UPR recommendations.
No one is left behind
Not only implementing the recommendations that have been considered, Indonesia is also dedicated to prioritizing policies that guarantee that everyone is included and that allows all stakeholders to contribute to ensuring that government policies align with human rights principles.
“The promotion and protection of human rights will always be an important element in Indonesia’s national development program,” continued Grata.
The implementation of the received UPR recommendations will be carried out to promote and safeguard national human rights, particularly in the formulation of national policies.
