WUNRN

http://www.wunrn.com

 

UN UNIVERSAL PERIODIC REVIEW (UPR) - INDONESIA

http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/UPR/Pages/IDSession13.aspx

 

UPR Information:

http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/UPR/Pages/UPRMain.aspx___

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http://www.komnasperempuan.or.id/en/2012/09/position-statement-komnas-perempuan%e2%80%99s-view-on-the-indonesian-government%e2%80%99s-adoption-of-36-recommendations-of-the-universal-periodic-review-during-the-un-human-rights-council-session-1/

 

INDONESIA - NATIONAL COMMISSION ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN - LINKING TO THE INDONESIA UN UNIVERSAL PERIODIC REVIEW (UPR)

Indonesia’s National Commission on Violence against Women (Komnas Perempuan) is an independent national institution that promotes women’s human rights in Indonesia. The Commission was established by Presidential Decree.Komnas Perempuan was established in response to the demands of civil society (especially women) for the state to take responsibility in handling cases of violence against women.

Position Statement: Komnas Perempuan’s View on the Indonesian Government’s Adoption of 36 Recommendations of the Universal Periodic Review during the UN Human Rights Council Session, 19 September 2012

Jakarta, 20 September 2012

The National Commission on Violence against Women (Komnas Perempuan) appreciates the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Session which carefully discussed developments (both progress and challenges) in the fulfilment of human rights in Indonesia.

Komnas Perempuan appreciates measures taken by the Indonesian government which proactively relate to the UPR Session and allow for the involvement of human rights institutions and civil society within the country in preparing reports and subsequent to the UPR, in helping formulate the government’s stance towards a number of recommendations that have been delayed.

Komnas Perempuan appreciates the state’s commitment to adopt important recommendations from the UPR Session; 150 of the 180 recommendations for the promotion of human rights in Indonesia. During the 13th UPR Session in May 2012, Indonesia accepted 144 of the 180 recommendations made. During the Human Rights Council Session yesterday (19/09), the government expressed its commitment to adopt 6 additional recommendations. The additional recommendations received relate to the commitment to ratify the CEDAW Optional Protocol and ILO Convention No. 189 on Decent Work for Domestic Workers, advancing the transparency of human rights work, supporting the presence of the International Red Cross and holding discussions with various parties on female circumcision to support the elimination of the practice of female genital mutilation.

Komnas Perempuan however, regrets the unwillingness of the Indonesian government to adopt the other 30 recommendations. This is contrary to the commitments given during the UPR Session. Komnas Perempuan is of the view that these recommendations are relevant and constructive in progressing human rights in Indonesia, particularly for groups vulnerable to discrimination and violence such as people with a disability, children, prisoners, sexual minorities, indigenous people and religious minorities. The refusal of the Indonesian government to adopt recommendations related to the issues of Papua and Aceh, the abolition of the death penalty and other inhumane corporal punishment, and protection for journalists and human rights defenders also reduces the state’s commitment to the fulfilment and promotion of human rights.

Relating to the issue of women, Komnas Perempuan regrets the reluctance of the Indonesian government to accept the recommendation to revoke Ministry of Health Regulation 2010 on Female Circumcision. Based on studies by Komnas Perempuan, though intended to reduce the dangers of female circumcision, these regulations actually reinforce discrimination towards women which is the root cause of violence against women. Komnas Perempuan is of the view that the best move is to return to the previous Ministry of Health policy where medical personnel were prohibited from being involved in the practice of female circumcision, and for the government to promote the dangers of female circumcision from the aspect of violence and discrimination against women as an integral part of efforts to hold dialogue with various parties, particularly religious leaders and communities related to this issue.

Komnas Perempuan differs to the Indonesian government on recommendations regarding protection for human rights defenders. Facts on the ground demonstrate that human rights defenders are vulnerable to intimidation, violence and criminalisation. As such, Komnas Perempuan urges the Indonesian government to strengthen its commitment, support and protection for human rights defenders through better legislation and law enforcement, by paying attention to the specific vulnerability of women human rights defenders, particularly those who work in issues that often draw stigma and rejection in the name of religion, tradition and morality.

To obtain tangible results, Komnas Perempuan will support efforts by the Indonesian government in following up on the recommendations that have been accepted, including by discussing performance indicator frameworks and implementation timelines. Komnas Perempuan also encourages the government to continue the good practice of consultation between sectors of government, the legislature, the judiciary and civil society to follow up on these recommendations and to discuss other issues on the ground, notwithstanding that recommendations relating to these issues may not have been accepted by the government.