Foreign Minister stresses need to protect human rights on ASEAN anniversary

On August 8, 2024By Rgal Nv

In addition, the association should emphasize a clear position and show solidarity in advancing human rights around the world, including ending the genocide in Palestine and promoting the peace process in Ukraine, the minister said.

Jakarta (ANTARA) –
Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi has stressed the efforts needed to advance and protect human rights as part of measures to make the ASEAN Community the centre of ASEAN’s work.

“As a community, commitment to advance and protect human rights is necessary,” she said during her speech at the 57th anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Jakarta on Thursday.

She stressed that ASEAN must commit to promoting and protecting human rights to maintain peace and stability in the region.

According to Marsudi, the management of human rights mechanisms within ASEAN must adapt to ever-increasing human rights challenges, including responding to the growing incidence of human trafficking in the region.

As a rules-based organisation, ASEAN must also continue to advocate for compliance with international law in a consistent manner, she added.

“ASEAN must not remain silent in the face of serious human rights violations in Gaza. More than 40,000 people have been killed and the number continues to rise,” Marsudi said.

In addition, the association should emphasize a clear position and show solidarity in advancing human rights around the world, including ending the genocide in Palestine and promoting the peace process in Ukraine, the minister said.

The ASEAN 57th Anniversary Celebration was held at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta and raised the theme of ASEAN as a connected and resilient community.

The event was opened by ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn, Minister Marsudi and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Laos Saleumxay Kommasith.

The event was also attended by Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto; Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Physical Planning, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono; as well as ambassadors from various countries.

In addition to the 57th anniversary of ASEAN, Minister Marsudi’s decade of dedication to Indonesia as Minister of Foreign Affairs was also recognized at the event, as well as her support to ASEAN, especially the ASEAN Secretariat.

At the celebration, Indonesia presented a collaborative batik from Indonesia to ASEAN with batik patterns inspired by the diversity of flowers growing in ASEAN countries.

The collaborative batik offering reflected hope, wisdom and solidarity, and symbolized solidarity and synergy among Southeast Asian countries.

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