Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 May 2012
130 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the way he will be urging Indonesia to adopt specific measures to ensure religious freedom, free expression, and accountability for abuses at the Universal Periodic Review of Indonesia at the UN Human Rights Council on 23 May 2012. [25354/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe next session of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) will take place in Geneva from 21 May to 4 June 2012. Fourteen countries will be reviewed at this session, including Indonesia. Under the UPR process, each UN member state is subject to a thorough review of its human rights by the UN Human Rights Council. The reviews are based on information provided by the state concerned, compilation reports prepared by the office of the UN high commissioner for human rights (OHCHR) and input from NGOs. As part of the UPR process, states have the opportunity to participate in an interactive dialogue with the state under review. The UPR process is a valuable contribution to raising standards and increasing awareness of human rights. Ireland will participate actively in the process, and will submit questions and recommendations with regard to a number of states.
Ireland does not have a resident embassy in Indonesia, which we cover from our embassy at Singapore. Mechanisms such as the UPR provide, therefore, a valuable forum in which to engage on issues which might otherwise not be covered bilaterally.
The 3rd Indonesia-EU human rights dialogue held on 2 May in Jakarta also provided a framework for open and constructive discussions between the EU and Indonesia on a wide range of human rights issues of mutual interest.
This dialogue took stock of progress in implementing key human rights commitments — including Indonesia's third national action plan on human rights (2011-2014). A broad range of issues was discussed such as non-discrimination and tolerance, the rights of detainees and prisoners, women's rights, freedom of the press, and the death penalty.
The issue of non-discrimination, especially with regard to the challenges to freedom of religion and belief, was given particular attention. Indonesia and the EU share the same convictions and standards on the issue of non-discrimination and tolerance. At the same time, both sides are aware of difficulties and challenges.
The EU welcomed the presence of a vibrant media in Indonesia and both sides underscored the importance of ensuring freedom of the press in law and practice, including the protection of persons exercising this freedom.
In the context of our efforts to strengthen and intensify our bilateral relationship with Indonesia we will continue to follow with interest the development of human rights legislation and protection in Indonesia.
Question No. 131 answered with Question No. 123.
