Indonesia's chairing of UN human rights council for first time: Milestone or empty symbol?

Government says trust in country is result of its reputation as a 'bridge builder'

- Karina Tehusijarana

Ambassador Sidharto Reza Suryodipuro, Permanent Representative of Indonesia to the United Nations Office and other international organisations in Geneva, was elected as president of the United Nations Human Rights Council on Jan 8. PHOTO: INDONESIAN MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

(INDONESIAN MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS)

While Indonesian officials have hailed the appointment as proof of the country's increased standing in the international community, several experts and human rights groups have raised doubts over whether the development will improve the country’s human rights situation.

Indonesian Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai hailed the appointment of Ambassador Sidharto Reza Suryodipuro as a great achievement.

"This is the first time in Indonesia's 80 years of independence that we are leading an international, multilateral body," he told reporters on Jan 6, two days before the country was officially appointed.

Indonesia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs echoed Mr Pigai's sentiments, noting that the support Indonesia got from the UN's Asia-Pacific member states was a result of the country's reputation as a "bridge builder".

"The trust (in Indonesia) is based on Indonesia's track record and consistency in working for the promotion and protection of human rights at the international level," the ministry said in a statement on Jan 8.

Indonesia's appointment was the result of a yearlong negotiation with other UNHRC members, said Mr Pigai.

UNHRC was formed in 2006, with the promise of better effectiveness than its predecessor body - the UN Commission on Human Rights established in 1946, which had been criticised for its perceived bias. This was partly because its membership included states with questionable human rights records.

To address such concerns, UNHRC was created with a significantly smaller membership, with the aim of excluding the worst human rights offenders.