Indonesia and Norway discuss human rights

On Monday 27 April, Minister of Foreign Affairs Jonas Gahr Støre formally opened the annual human rights dialogue meeting between Norway and Indonesia. The human rights dialogue has been ongoing since 2002, and this is the eighth annual meeting.

The bilateral meetings include political consultations as well as working group discussions with participation from the two governments, academia and NGOs. The Indonesian delegation was led by Mr Hassan Wirajuda, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia. The three main topics for this year’s human rights dialogue are 1) human rights and the armed forces, 2) freedom of religion, and 3) the rights of children and young people.

In his opening remarks Foreign Minister Støre expressed that Norway greatly values the longstanding cooperation with Indonesia on human rights. Despite the differences between the two countries, he described the human rights dialogue as a mutual opportunity for learning. “Norway benefits from this dialogue. We learn from it, and we hope that we can contribute to learning for Indonesia as well”, the Minister said in his speech to the two countries’ delegates.

He also emphasised that without tolerance and freedom of expression there is little room for democracy. True communication and mutual understanding are dependent on freedom of expression. “In Norway’s view, principled dialogue is the only way forward towards resolving critical issues. The alternative is monologue, and that will get us nowhere,” said Mr Støre.

Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda said in his speech that the excellent, close relations between Indonesia and Norway enable an exchange of views also on sensitive issues. He also pointed out that in 10 years Indonesia has made quick progress towards becoming a stable democracy. “There is no way back”, he said.

After the opening, the two ministers held a brief press conference before they met for a working luncheon where they discussed how the bilateral cooperation between Norway and Indonesia could be developed even further. Mr Støre raised Norway’s concern regarding the use of the death penalty in Indonesia, as well as challenges in the area of freedom of religion. The two ministers then signed a letter of intent outlining the Norwegian financial support to the Bali Democracy Forum, which was launched by Indonesia’s President, Mr Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, in December 2008.