On December 10, 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights proclaiming its principles as the “common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations.” Human Rights Day, on December 10, is an important occasion to recall the importance of protecting human rights for all.
60 years on from the adoption of the Declaration, significant progress has been made, not least in this region, but we are daily reminded that around the world huge challenges remain to be addressed.
Human Rights Day 2013
As William Hague, our Foreign Secretary has said: “we see [human rights] as essential to and indivisible from our foreign policy objectives.” In Indonesia, while recognising the huge advances that have been made, we actively work with civil society and other partners in implementing projects aimed at achieving further progress in a range of areas - for example in the areas of business and human rights, religious freedom, the elimination of violence against women, transitional justice, against opposition to the death penalty.
Our partners in Human Rights World in Indonesia have joined me today to highlight this important day and to share their opinions about the meaning of human rights:
Poengky – Executive Director of Indonesian Human Rights Monitoring (Imparsial)
“Human rights are very important basic rights possessed by every individual which have to be protected, enforced and implemented by the state.”
Andreas Harsono - Indonesia Consultant of Human Rights Watch
“I experienced discrimination during the reign of the New Order and I only have two options: do nothing or fight back. I have decided to struggle for justice and human rights for everyone”.
Haris Azhar – Coordinator of Komisi Untuk Orang Hilang dan Tindak kekerasan (Kontras)
“Human rights are not solely laws but are also concepts to defend the victims of the abuse of power as well as efforts to make human lives become better and more meaningful, it’s a way of life! It’s an honor for me to promote human rights as magnificent claim and recognition for our humanity.”
Indriaswati D. Saptaningrum - Executive Director of Institute for Policy Research and Advocacy (ELSAM)
“I could not imagine how we care about human beings without talking about human rights. It’s the imperative of rights that helps to preserve peace and justice and only in peace. Even if we can’t have this during our lifetime, I believe we still keep the same hope for our kids or younger generations, so how would you not think about human rights then?”
From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World. We are looking forward to strengthen our partnership with Indonesia to support human rights. Happy International Human Rights Day.
