Acheh-Sumatra National Liberation Front (ASNLF) The 15th Session of Human Rights Council Forum on Minority Issues: “Review. Rethink. Reform” 1 - 2 December 2022 Venue: Room XX, Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland Item 3: Rethink: minority rights defenders and their role in promoting the principles of the Declaration Mr. Chairman, In commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the UNDM and the 15th Session of the Forum, I would like to thank all relevant stakeholders for having created this unique platform to promote dialogue and cooperation on issues affecting minorities. ASNLF has been here since 2014 and raising several issues about the dire situation facing ethnic minorities in Indonesia, especially in my homeland, Acheh. As an archipelago, Indonesia consists of hundreds of native ethnic minorities, with different histories, backgrounds, cultures etc. And, needless to say, that minorities in Indonesia, especially in some restive areas such as Acheh, West Papua and South Moluccas are often collectively subjected to violence when engaging in political activities to assert their rights. Mr Chairman, Last month, in this room, Indonesia's human rights record was reviewed in the fourth cycle of UPR. What Indonesia reported during the session was contrary to all the reports by human rights independent experts, civil society groups etc, with a particular reference to human rights defenders, the right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. Prior to the UPR session, President Jokowi had signed a decree to resolve gross human rights violations, including Acheh, through non-judicial mechanisms. Human rights activists and families of victims have vehemently rejected the move as it clearly is a project to whitewash gross human rights abuses and institutionalize impunity. And it also proves that the government is unable and unwilling to resolve the cases through judicial processes. In the case of Acheh, most abuses by the military have been thoroughly investigated and there is also a provision stipulated in the Helsinki accord to set up the Human Rights Court (HRC), but nothing has changed and not a single perpetrator has been brought to justice. Acheh-Sumatra National Liberation Front (ASNLF) PO Box 10 15 26 99805 Eisenach Germany Phone: +49 1577 3431 335 E-mail : info@asnlf.org Website : www.asnlf.org