VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Latvia supports Indonesia’s candidacy as a United Nation Human Rights Council member from 2020 to 2022, Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkvis confirmed during a bilateral meeting with Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi in Jakarta Friday. “I reiterate my encouragement for Indonesia in many international organizations. I believe that our mutual relations in UN agencies have been doing fine so far, and we will keep supporting Indonesia in UN Human Rights Council,” Rinkvis said after the meeting.

In its nomination as a member of the council, Indonesia addressed a theme of “Indonesia True Partner for Democracy, Development, and Social Justice”.

In the election which will be held at the 74th UN General Assembly in New York next November, Indonesia will compete with five other Asia Pacific countries, which are China, Japan, South Korea, Iran, and the Marshall Islands.

She was optimistic about the votes that Indonesia would gain in the election, including from Latvia, Marsudi admitted.

“Earlier, the Foreign Minister of Latvia had stated that he would give positive consideration, so hopefully his country will totally support our country,” she said.

During the process of nominations, Indonesia has received support from a number of countries, all unilaterally and reciprocally, she continued.

“Numerous countries had stated that they would support Indonesia unilaterally, which means we don’t need a reminder for payback. But we will consider it whenever they need assistance,” Marsudi noted.

Previously, Indonesia had been a member of the Human Rights Council on four occasions, in 2006-2007; 2007-2010; 2011-2014, and the 2015-2017 period.

Through this candidacy, Indonesia aims to continue to involve actively and constructively in promoting and respecting human rights and basic freedoms. (ANTARA)