1) Indonesia's election to the UN Human Rights Council was not due to human rights progress

2) Jakarta Post Indonesia assumes UN Human Rights Council presidency amid domestic criticism 10th january

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1) Indonesia's election to the UN Human Rights Council was not due to human rights progress

January 10, 2026 in Press Release Reading Time: 3 mins read

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Author: Jubi Admin - Editor: Arjuna Pademme

Jayapura, Jubi – Amnesty International Indonesia stated that Indonesia's election as President of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) was not due to human rights progress at home or abroad.

Amnesty International Indonesia's Executive Director, Usman Hamid, said the Minister of Human Rights' boast that Indonesia "succeeded in winning" the position of President of the UNHRC because of the "Ministry of Human Rights" was a false boast that was not based on the facts.

He said the position rotates according to region around the world. This year it is the Asia Pacific region's turn. Coincidentally, Indonesia is the sole candidate for this rotating position.

"So it's not accurate to say that Indonesia achieved this position because it 'seized' it, let alone because of the Ministry of Human Rights. It's also not accurate to say that this position was achieved because of progress on human rights at home or abroad," said Usman Hamid in a written press release on Friday evening (January 9, 2026).

According to Usman, Indonesia's domestic human rights reputation has actually worsened. In 2025, more than 5,000 people were arrested for demonstrations, and 283 human rights defenders were attacked.

Ironically, the Ministry of Human Rights tends to justify human rights violations. Most recently, the Minister of Human Rights even praised the drafters of the new Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP), which clearly threatens human rights.

Indonesia's international human rights reputation is weak. Indonesia tends to reject recommendations from the Human Rights Council to improve the human rights situation. "In 2022, for example, Indonesia rejected 59 of the 269 recommendations in the Universal Periodic Review (UPR)," he said.

He said these two situations create an irony: as President of the Human Rights Council, Indonesia will lead the review of member states' human rights in the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), especially since Indonesia will also be the object of the UPR review.

Furthermore, Usman continued, Indonesia's UPR reports often differ from reality. In 2022, Indonesia only reported on Papua from the perspective of infrastructure and welfare, without mentioning the ongoing violence against civilians there.

Indonesia has shown little commitment to human rights and often advocates for permissive approaches such as dialogue or consensus with countries suspected of human rights violations.

He cited an example in 2022, after a report by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights concluded that human rights violations in Xinjiang, China, potentially constituted crimes against humanity.

At that time, Indonesia rejected a motion to discuss the report, arguing that it would "not yield meaningful progress" because the proposal "did not receive the consent and support of the countries concerned."

“This rejection contributed to the failure of the motion by a narrow margin, 19 votes against to 17 in favor, and 11 abstentions. "Indonesia also has a poor track record in granting access to UN special rapporteurs to visit Indonesia to examine the human rights situation," he said.

Furthermore, in 2023, Indonesia rejected a request from the Special Rapporteur on the Independence of the Judiciary to visit Indonesia. That year, Indonesia rejected a request from the UN Special Rapporteur on Slavery, and in 2024, Indonesia rejected a request from the UN Special Rapporteur on Truth, Justice, and Reparations.

Usman said, therefore, through the position of President of the Human Rights Council, we can test Indonesia's seriousness by seeing whether Indonesia actively encourages members of the Human Rights Council, including Indonesia, to agree on firm action regarding alleged human rights violations, accepts the recommendations made, and facilitates requests for official visits from independent experts and UN special rapporteurs.

According to him, the position of President of the UN Human Rights Council will mean nothing to Indonesia and is merely a matter of pride without alignment of human rights concerns in its foreign and domestic policies.

Previously, Indonesia was elected President of the UN Human Rights Council on Thursday, January 8, 2026. The office of President of the Council is held by the Permanent Representative Indonesian Ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, Sidharto Reza Suryodipuro, replaces the previous official, Jurg Lauber of Switzerland.

This is Indonesia's first presidency of the UN Human Rights Council since its establishment 20 years ago.

As president of the UN Human Rights Council for a one-year term, Sidharto will preside over the proceedings of the forum, which is based in Geneva, Switzerland.

The Indonesian ambassador will preside over three sessions of the UN Human Rights Council, scheduled for late February, June, and September 2026.

He will also oversee the review of the human rights records of Council member states, known as the Universal Periodic Review (UPR).

Sidharto stated that Indonesia has been a strong supporter of the UN Human Rights Council since its inception 20 years ago, as well as of its predecessor, the UN Commission on Human Rights.

"Our decision to move forward is rooted in the 1945 Constitution and in line with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, which mandates Indonesia to contribute to world peace based on freedom, peace, and social justice," he told the attendees. delegation. (*) 

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2) Jakarta Post Indonesia assumes UN Human Rights Council presidency amid domestic criticism 10th january

Indonesia assumes UN Human Rights Council presidency amid domestic criticism Indonesia’s assumption of the presidency of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) is unlikely to significantly boost its influence over global human rights issues, analysts say, even as the government hails the role as a diplomatic achievement despite mounting criticism of Jakarta’s own human rights record Yvette Tanamal (The Jakarta Post) Premium Jakarta Sat, January 10, 2026  

 

A photo shows a general view on the opening day of the 50th session of the UN Human Rights Council, in Geneva, on June 13, 2022. (AFP/Fabrice Coffrini) I ndonesia’s assumption of the presidency of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) is unlikely to significantly boost its influence over global human rights issues, analysts say, even as the government hails the role as a diplomatic achievement despite mounting criticism of Jakarta’s own human rights record.  

 

While the appointment signals confidence among UNHRC members in Indonesia’s diplomatic capacity, experts caution that the council presidency is largely procedural, countering claims that it reflects elevated international standing or expanded authority on substantive human rights matters.

 

“As UNHRC president, Indonesia’s role is essentially [procedural, focused on] managing council sessions and regulating who speaks. A chair is necessary in any forum, but the role itself is limited,” international relations expert Hikmahanto Juwana told The Jakarta Post on Friday.

 

Indonesia’s permanent representative to the UN in Geneva, Sidharto R. Suryodipuro, was elected on Thursday by the council’s Asia-Pacific Group to serve as UNHRC president for a one-year term ending on Dec. 31.

The appointment followed months of negotiations across continents to secure the position.

Speaking for the first time as UNHRC president after the vote, Sidharto, a seasoned diplomat and former director-general for ASEAN affairs, thanked council members and pledged to carry out the presidency “with full respect for the principles and integrity of the council.

 

” “Our decision to step forward is rooted in our 1945 Constitution, which mandates Indonesia’s contribution to world peace based on independence, peace and social justice,” Sidharto said. Morning Brief Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning. Delivered straight to your inbox three times weekly, this curated briefing provides a concise overview of the day's most important issues, covering a wide range of topics from politics to culture and society.

View More Newsletter Read also:

 

No plan for Prabowo-Trump meeting yet as govt finalizes tariff deal “We are fully committed, like all council members, to the core principles of universality, objectivity and non-selectivity in addressing human rights issues, ensuring that all rights, including the right to development, are treated fairly and equally,” he continued. At a press briefing on Thursday, the Foreign Ministry’s human rights and migration director, Indah Nuria Savitri, reiterated Indonesia’s commitment to lead the council “with an inclusive approach”, underscoring Jakarta’s awareness of the significant responsibility that comes with the role amid complex geopolitical conditions.

 

Indah stressed that Jakarta had no predetermined agenda for the council presidency and would treat all human rights matters before the body on their individual merits.

“There is no vested agenda.

 

 

Indonesia will take appropriate action to advance human rights anywhere, guided by reports from special rapporteurs”.

 

Beyond symbolism Indonesia has served on the UNHRC multiple times since the council’s establishment in 2006, including at least six terms as a member and stints as vice president in 2009 and 2024.

 

In December, Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai announced Jakarta’s intent to pursue the council presidency, framing the effort as part of Indonesia’s aspiration to shape international norms on issues ranging from corruption and the environment to electoral integrity.

 

Days before the formal vote, Pigai reiterated confidence in Indonesia’s candidacy and touted the expected win as a reflection of the country’s human rights reputation and capacity to influence pressing global concerns.

 

He even suggested that Indonesia could play a role in addressing international crises, such as the situation in Venezuela, remarks that analysts deemed overly ambitious given the ceremonial nature of the presidency.

“Of course it is an honor for Indonesia to hold this position. Yet there really is no significant strategic value, privileges or opportunities to be gained here. I think the expectation that we can now intervene in Venezuela, for example, is coming from an uninformed source,” expert Hikmahanto said. Amid the government’s expansive portrayal of Indonesia’s global human rights standing, criticism has continued to mount at home, with rights groups pointing to what they describe as a growing gap between Jakarta’s diplomatic rhetoric and its domestic record on civil liberties and accountability.

 

Back home, Indonesia’s upbeat portrayal of its UNHRC presidency has drawn scrutiny from rights groups highlighting a disconnect between its international image and domestic human rights record.

Read also:

TNI, police laws faced most legal challenges at Constitutional Court in 2025 In a Thursday statement, the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (KontraS) described the domestic human rights situation as “catastrophic”, citing protest repression, criminalization of activists and unresolved abuses in Papua.

 

“The UNHRC presidency demands consistency between principles and practices, and a partiality toward victims, elements not yet reflected in Indonesian policy,” said KontraS coordinator Dimas Bagus Arya.

 

“Without critical reflection and real action, the new position risks becoming a hollow symbol rather than a genuine contribution to human rights.” Amnesty International Indonesia similarly questioned Jakarta’s readiness to lead the council effectively.

 

Executive director Usman Hamid noted that Indonesia’s human rights reputation is weakened domestically and abroad. Over 5,000 people were arrested during demonstrations in 2025, hundreds of human rights defenders faced attacks and the government has often obstructed UN special rapporteurs’ access, Usman said. He added that the UNHRC presidency now presented a test of Indonesia’s commitment, urging the government to actively implement recommendations, facilitate official visits by UN experts, and align domestic and foreign policies with the principles it is tasked with upholding.

This article was published in thejakartapost.com with the title "". Click to read: https://www.thejakartapost.com/indonesia/2026/01/10/indonesia-assumes-un-human-rights-council-presidency-amid-domestic-criticism.html?utm_source=(direct)&utm_medium=channel_indonesia.


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