TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia and the European Union agreed to explore concrete cooperation for human rights promotion and protection at the 10th Human Rights Dialogue on Monday, July 15, 2024, in Brussels, Belgium. The dialogue was a concrete form of both Indonesia's and the EU’s commitment to a constructive dialogue-based approach in the field of human rights.

The agreement to explore concrete cooperation will be in the form of seminars, workshops, and side events that serve to promote and protect human rights.

The Indonesian delegation was led by Indah Nuria Savitri, Director for Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The EU delegation was led by Leila Fernandez-Stembridge, Head of the Division for Southeast Asia and ASEAN at the European External Action Service (EEAS).

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ official website, they discussed several domestic human rights issues. Both parties focused on the accomplishment and challenges in promoting and fulfilling human rights, including the challenges of balancing freedom of expression and freedom of religions and beliefs, or freedom of assembly and the state's obligation to keep public order.

The two delegations also exchanged views on several sensitive issues to strengthen mutual understanding. The dialogue covered global human rights issues, such as the conflicts in Afghanistan, Myanmar, Palestine, and Ukraine.

The Foreign Ministry wrote that Indonesia emphasized “the EU's important role in pushing for accountability in the Gaza conflict through supporting related United Nations mechanisms.” Indonesia also urged the EU to lend political and financial support to UNRWA, considering the vital role of the agency in providing essential services, such as education and health.

Joining the opening session of the Human Rights Dialogue were EU Special Representative for Human Rights, Ambassador Olof Skoog, and the Indonesian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium, Luxembourg, and the EU, Ambassador Andri Hadi, both of whom shared their views and hopes on the future of Indonesia-EU Human Rights Dialogue.

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