Jakarta. Indonesia will continue its Palestinian advocacy as it will soon start its term at the United Nations Human Rights Council, according to Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi.

Indonesia recently won 186 votes to secure a seat at the UN Human Rights Council for the 2024-2026 term. This was the most votes that Indonesia had ever received in its history of trying to get into the human rights body. The term will begin on Jan. 1, 2024, and the Palestine issue is set to be a priority during Indonesia’s membership.

“We will uphold the issue of inclusiveness as a member of the UN Human Rights Council. We will continue to bring up the Palestinian issue throughout our membership,” Retno told reporters in Jakarta on Wednesday.

“I think this [Palestine issue] is relevant. We recently celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights [in Geneva]. I remember that we [the panel discussion at the time] talked about the continuous violations of human rights against the Palestinians,” Retno said. 

Aside from Indonesia, the incoming UN Human Rights Council will encompass Albania, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burundi, China, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, France, Ghana, Japan, Kuwait, Malawi, and the Netherlands.

Indonesia previously secured a seat at the council for the 2020-2022 term. The archipelagic country was also part of the Geneva-based council in 2006-2007, 2007-2010, 2011-2014, and 2015-2017.

2720 Resolution
During the presser, Retno commented on the recently adopted Gaza resolution by the UN Security Council. The 2720 resolution, which the council adopted on Dec. 22, demanded that parties should enable immediate and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid. It also appealed for the creation of conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities. The resolution did not call for a ceasefire -- something that Retno said could have improved the situation in the Palestinian enclave.

“We will see if this [2720] resolution can make changes or improvements on the ground,” Retno said.

“But for sure, there is one key element missing from the resolution, and it is something that can actually improve the situation on the ground. This missing key element is a ceasefire,” Retno said.