JakartaPost-Feb 24, 2026
At the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, Indonesia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Sidharto Reza Suryodipuro is presiding over the 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), which began on Monday. This marks a historic milestone for Indonesia; it is our first time holding the presidency since the council’s inception in 2006. This appointment signals the international community’s confidence in our nation’s diplomatic maturity and our steadfast commitment to universal freedoms. It represents a defining chapter in Indonesia’s human rights diplomacy, a responsibility that demands integrity, inclusivity and principled leadership. Our chosen theme, “Presidency for all,” captures the essence of our approach: a Human Rights Council that serves all people, engages all nations and protects all rights without discrimination or selectivity. The global human rights landscape is increasingly fraught. Armed conflicts persist, inequality widens and climate change threatens the very livelihoods of entire communities. Simultaneously, we face a retreat of democracy in certain regions and a shrinking of civic space in others. While the digital revolution has opened new avenues for participation, it has also introduced unprecedented risks to privacy, dignity and freedom of expression. Indonesia’s presidency comes at a time when the credibility of multilateral institutions must be fortified. “Presidency for all” is our direct response to this challenge, a call to ensure the Council remains balanced, inclusive and firmly grounded in universal norms rather than political convenience. Read more at:
