DILI, 01 february 2023 (TATOLI)—Timor-Leste has suspended its candidacy at the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) until the next period and has endorsed the Republic of Indonesia’s candidacy in the period of 2024 – 2026.
This decision was approved by the Council of Ministers through the Government Resolution Draft presented by the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Julião da Silva at the Council of Ministers’ s meeting.
“This draft for the suspension of Timor-Leste’s decision to nominate its candidacy at the UN Human Rights Council for the 2024-2026 period, was adopted through Government Decree No. 61/2021, May 12,” Minister of the Council of Ministers, Fidelis Leite Magalhães said in a Press Conference at the Government Office.
Timor-Leste aligns its position with ASEAN’s decision, which endorsed the Republic of Indonesia as the sole candidate for the organization’s Human Rights Council for the 2024-2026 period, suspending its candidacy until the election of the Human Rights Council for the 2027-2029 Human Rights Council.
“As we know that we are in the process of accession to ASEAN and the rules in ASEAN are that only one country can nominate itself, so we must follow these rules and we will advance again in the next period,” said Minister Fidelis.
Previously, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, Retno Marsudi, when opening the 2022 Regional Conversation on Human Rights event on December 20, stated that Indonesia would immediately terminate its membership in the 2021-2023 UN Human Rights Council.
Reporting from CNN Indonesia, he said that in the last three years, Indonesia had learned a lot and contributed to the advancement of human rights and asked for support so that Indonesia could become a member again for the next term.
Retno Marsudi hopes that Indonesia can continue its contribution to dealing with human rights issues both regionally and globally.
The UN Human Rights Council located in Geneva is an intergovernmental organ in the United Nations consisting of 47 UN member states and is responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights throughout the world, dealing with situations of human rights violations.
The main function of the UN Human Rights Council is as a supervisor which uncovers cases of human rights violations on earth, in addition to helping member countries draft laws on human rights.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Nelia B.
