Jokowi: Indonesia Dedicated to Respecting Human Rights, Religious Freedom

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – On World Human Rights Day, President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo touched upon the issue of religious freedom in Indonesia.

Understanding that there are hindrances towards full religious expression in the country, the Indonesian President called for related stakeholders to resolve the matter.

“I heard that there are still problems concerning religious freedom in several places. I have asked officials from the central and regional governments to actively respond to overcome this problem in a peaceful and wise manner.”

Jokowi said that the commitment to respect, protect, and fulfill the rights of man is a crucial pillar in Indonesia if the nation seeks to be progressive, resilient, and modern.

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Among the measures he highlighted is the government’s dedication to creating facilities that guarantee mobility rights, health, food security, and other basic needs including ensuring the price of fuel is the same everywhere in the archipelago.

An additional measure to undertake is reducing the national figure for stunting as well as providing affordable education especially in remote areas or the outermost islands.

“I have given special attention to our community of people with disabilities. We have established the National Commission on Disabilities that is oriented towards a human rights approach.”

The Indonesian President has further instructed Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Mahfud MD to settle the country’s past human rights violations.

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The objective of coming to a settlement is for Indonesia’s solution to be accepted by the international and national community.

“The government has not stopped settling past human rights issues in a wise and dignified way. We must work together to complete this matter and pour our energy towards building our society.”

The government’s priorities on aspects such as religious freedom in Indonesia is stipulated in the National Human Rights Action Plan 2020-2025, according to the Indonesian President.

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The document serves to ensure that the Indonesian government fulfills and protects the civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights of the people equally.

“Let us all play an active role in respecting other people’s rights and hold ourselves accountable for realizing the rights of others."

"Only by upholding the respect, protection, and fulfillment of human rights can we become a more resilient and progressive nation.”

(Writer: Fitria Chusna Farisa | Editor: Diamanty Meiliana)

Source: https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2020/12/10/11334851/jokowi-saya-dengar-masih-ada-masalah-kebebasan-beribadah