Statement by Indonesian Delegation 8th Session of Forum on Minority Issues Geneva, 24 – 25 November 2015 Mr. Chair, First of all, let me re-iterate my government’s commitment, as mandated by our Constitution, in promoting and protecting human rights based on principle of non-discrimination. In Indonesia, diversity, tolerance and harmony are facts of life. Housing for more than 250 million people with 1340 sub-ethnic groups, over 740 ethnic languages, and numerous religions and beliefs, Indonesians have and will continue to forge tolerance and mutual respect. In this regard, the notion of minority faces its own complexities and challenges if applied in our national context. Nevertheless, we spare no effort to manage all issues of common concerns in the context of our sovereignty, democracy and rule of law. Now let me turn to issues raised by some in this Forum relating to situation in some parts of our country. We strongly object human rights issues are politicized for certain purposes contrary to the UN principles. It has been reaffirmed by the Chair of the Forum repeatedly and thus, we regret that it is not respected. We reject all information presented by one of the presenters in the agenda item 3 yesterday, which was inaccurate, politically-motivated, misleading, and out of context. It does not help at all on theme discussed. It shows no respect to the spirit of constructive dialogue which is the basis of this Forum. And it displays the hidden agenda to use the Forum for political purposes. It thereby undermines the credibility of the Forum This information, I am afraid, also represents the inadequate quality of its messenger that lacks of information and comprehensive understanding on the current state in Indonesia. Indonesia’s territorial integrity, including over the Provinces of Papua and West Papua, is unquestionable and irrevocable and is an issue outside human rights. Provinces of Papua and West Papua in Indonesia receives not only equal attention but moreover, extra attention. Affirmative action and support to those provinces are aimed to enhance their own capacity and ability to fully realize their potential. Through Special Autonomy Law, local governments in those provinces control most of government affairs in their own hands.