Indonesia 'Regrets' US Decision to Withdraw From Human Rights Council
Jakarta. Indonesia said it regrets the United States' decision to withdraw from the United Nations Human Rights Council, or UNHRC.
"Indonesia deeply regrets the United States' decision to withdraw from the UN Human Rights Council," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Wednesday (20/06).
The US ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, announced the withdrawal on Tuesday, citing various reasons for the decision, including the election of "human rights abusers" as members of the council and "disproportionate focus and unending hostility towards Israel."
Haley added that the UNHRC is "an organization that is not worthy of its name," but said the United States is open to rejoining the body "should it become reformed."
The UNHRC was established in 2006 and comprises 47 UN member countries elected by the General Assembly for three-year terms at a time. The body aims to promote and protect human rights around the world and conducts investigations into alleged human rights violations.
Current members include China, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Saudi Arabia.
In its response to the announcement, Indonesia also touched on the issue of reform, saying it recognizes that the council's work is not yet perfect.
"However, a reform process such as that required by other UN bodies, including the Security Council and the General Assembly of the UN, requires political commitment and a spirit of multilateral cooperation from UN members," the statement said.
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