REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA – Indonesia has a potential to be the headquarters for Islamic Cooperation Organization (OIC) Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC). As the country that ratified the UN’s Human Rights Charter, Indonesia –rather than Saudi Arabia or Iran- could win support from other OIC members.
“Compared to other Islamic countries, we have ratified the UN’s Human Rights Charter. I think Indonesia can move one step forward to become the IPHRC headquarter,” Wahid Institute Director, Yenny Wahid, said during the informal luncheon talk with civil societies in Jakarta, Tuesday.
The event is a series of IPHRC’s first official meeting from Monday to Friday in Jakarta. Wahid said, there were a lot to do if Indonesia wanted to be succeed as the OIC’ human rights headquarter. “Indonesian human rights record must be improved since discrimination still reported occur here, especially towards minority group,” Wahid said.
Wahid added the establishment of the commission was an amazing landmark. As the dichotomy between human rights and Islam often occur, OIC must be more actively engaged in human rights issues.
She points, human rights record in some Middle East countries still causes to be a concern. “Differences are normal and we must not hamper the effort to progress. Yet, sometimes politics and religion overlap,” Wahid said.
Indonesian representative to the commission, Siti Ruhaini Zhuhayatin, said the discussion on IPHRC headquarters was still within IPHRC board. No decision has been made on the headquarter of IPHRC.
She admits Saudi Arabia and Iran compete to become the headquarters. However, each country sticks to its differences in a number of issues. “Actually Indonesia has better opportunity as many delegations support the idea that our country has the capability to mediate among ideologies,” she said. Zhuhayatin emphasized reformation on human rights issues is in need in OIC.
Human Rights Working Group (HRWG) executive director, Rafendi Djamin, pushes IPHRC to create the independent, effective, and accountable working mechanism and procedure. “In the near future, the commission can reach its basic purpose, which is working to develop human rights guidance in Islamic world,” Djamin said.
He also hopes OIC’s members can implement the human rights value nationally. IPHRC should become a support for OIC that Islam and human rights are not contradictory.
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