VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The United Nations Human Rights Council on Wednesday approved a disputed resolution on religious hatred in the wake of the burning of a Koran in Sweden, prompting concern by Western states who say it challenges long-held practices in rights protection.

The resolution, introduced by Pakistan on behalf of the 57-nation Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), calls for the U.N. rights chief to publish a report on religious hatred and for states to review their laws and plug gaps that may "impede the prevention and prosecution of acts and advocacy of religious hatred."

It was strongly opposed by the United States and the European Union, who say it conflicts with their view on human rights and freedom of expression. While condemning the burning of the Koran, they argued the OIC initiative was designed to safeguard religious symbols rather than human rights.

An Iraqi immigrant to Sweden burned the Koran outside a Stockholm mosque last month, sparking outrage across the Muslim world and demands by Muslim states for action.

The vote's outcome marks a major defeat for Western countries at a time when the OIC has unprecedented clout in the council, the only body made up of governments to protect human rights worldwide.

Twenty-eight countries voted in favour, 12 voted against, and seven countries abstained. Representatives of some countries clapped after the resolution passed.

Marc Limon, director of the Geneva-based Universal Rights Group, said the outcome showed "the West is in full retreat at the Human Rights Council."

"They're increasingly losing support and losing the argument," he said.

Michele Taylor, the U.S. Permanent Representative to the U.N. Human Rights Council, said the United States' concerns about the initiative "were not taken seriously."

"I believe with a little more time and more open discussion, we could have also found a way forward together on this resolution," she said.

After the vote, Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the U.N. in Geneva, Khalil Hasmi, accused the West of "lip service" to their commitment to prevent religious hatred.

"The opposition of a few in the room has emanated from their unwillingness to condemn the public desecration of the Holy Koran or any other religious book," he said.

"They lack political, legal and moral courage to condemn this act, and it was the minimum that the Council could have expected from them." (Reuters)

VOINews, Jakarta - The issue related to the political and humanitarian crises in Myanmar dominated the discussion of foreign affairs ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Jakarta on Wednesday.

"We discussed various issues during the retreat session in a very open manner, highlighting the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus," Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi stated after chairing the retreat session of the 56th ASEAN Foreign Affairs Ministers' Meeting (AMM).

Minister Marsudi reiterated that the consensus must become the main reference for handling various issues in Myanmar.

"Any other initiative must support and be in line with the consensus," she noted.

The consensus called for an immediate end to violence; holding of dialogue among all parties; the appointment of a special envoy; allowing humanitarian assistance from ASEAN; and permitting an ASEAN special envoy to visit Myanmar to meet with all parties.

The minister noted that Indonesia, this year's ASEAN chair, had very intensive and broad engagements with all stakeholders in Myanmar, with the objective of realizing an inclusive national dialogue to create durable peace in the country.

"These engagements serve as a means to achieve the goals, including to build trust, bringing together those who have never met. This is not an easy task, but we keep striving to finish it," Marsudi noted.

Marsudi then underlined that during the retreat session, all ASEAN member states showed full support for Indonesia's approach that aligns with the mandate found in the consensus.

"At least, the engagements can encourage conflicting parties to start thinking of holding dialogues as the next building block. We believe that an inclusive dialogue will pave the way to political solution, which will lead to durable peace," she remarked.

Furthermore, Marsudi also stated that the ASEAN is still highly concerned over the continuing and increasing violence in Myanmar.

Hence, the ASEAN urges all stakeholders to stop violent acts, particularly those resulting in civilian casualties, including bombings in public facilities, such as schools and hospitals.

"Without putting an end to violence, we will not be able to create a conducive situation required for initiating dialogues," she emphasized.

Myanmar has been struggling with violent events and economic crisis as a result of the mutiny carried out by the military junta against the elected government in February 2021.

The junta then took follow-up measures to mute different opinions regarding the election result by launching brutal assaults, leading to high numbers of casualties and injuries as well as division in the country. (Antaranews)

VOINews, Jakarta - The issue related to the political and humanitarian crises in Myanmar dominated the discussion of foreign affairs ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Jakarta on Wednesday.

"We discussed various issues during the retreat session in a very open manner, highlighting the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus," Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi stated after chairing the retreat session of the 56th ASEAN Foreign Affairs Ministers' Meeting (AMM).

Minister Marsudi reiterated that the consensus must become the main reference for handling various issues in Myanmar.

"Any other initiative must support and be in line with the consensus," she noted.

The consensus called for an immediate end to violence; holding of dialogue among all parties; the appointment of a special envoy; allowing humanitarian assistance from ASEAN; and permitting an ASEAN special envoy to visit Myanmar to meet with all parties.

The minister noted that Indonesia, this year's ASEAN chair, had very intensive and broad engagements with all stakeholders in Myanmar, with the objective of realizing an inclusive national dialogue to create durable peace in the country.

"These engagements serve as a means to achieve the goals, including to build trust, bringing together those who have never met. This is not an easy task, but we keep striving to finish it," Marsudi noted.

Marsudi then underlined that during the retreat session, all ASEAN member states showed full support for Indonesia's approach that aligns with the mandate found in the consensus.

"At least, the engagements can encourage conflicting parties to start thinking of holding dialogues as the next building block. We believe that an inclusive dialogue will pave the way to political solution, which will lead to durable peace," she remarked.

Furthermore, Marsudi also stated that the ASEAN is still highly concerned over the continuing and increasing violence in Myanmar.

Hence, the ASEAN urges all stakeholders to stop violent acts, particularly those resulting in civilian casualties, including bombings in public facilities, such as schools and hospitals.

"Without putting an end to violence, we will not be able to create a conducive situation required for initiating dialogues," she emphasized.

Myanmar has been struggling with violent events and economic crisis as a result of the mutiny carried out by the military junta against the elected government in February 2021.

The junta then took follow-up measures to mute different opinions regarding the election result by launching brutal assaults, leading to high numbers of casualties and injuries as well as division in the country. (Antaranews)

VOINews, Jakarta - Saudi Arabia has become the 51st country to sign the ASEAN's Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC).

"We welcome Saudi Arabia to the ASEAN family," Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi stated during a ceremony event for the signing of the Instrument of Accession to the TAC by Saudi Arabia's Foreign Affairs Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud here Wednesday.

The signing was conducted on the sidelines of the 56th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM).

Marsudi noted that the signing of the TAC by Saudi Arabia reflected the country's commitment to obeying ASEAN values and principles, namely to cooperate, consistently uphold international law, and contribute to peace and stability in the Southeast Asia region and beyond.

The minister emphasized that those values and principles are essential to continuously be implemented amid the current geopolitical dynamics.

"Together, we must serve as a positive force for peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region," she remarked.

Apart from Saudi Arabia, Indonesia will also make efforts for Panama, Spain, and Mexico's accession to the TAC on the sidelines of the 43rd ASEAN Summit in September 2023.

The TAC, which was established in 1976, aims to create political stability and security in Southeast Asia by regulating the peaceful resolution of conflicts between countries. (Antaranews)