Furthermore, the association should emphasize a clear position and show its solidarity to advance human rights globally, including to end the genocide in Palestine and promote the peace process in Ukraine, the minister said.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi underscored the efforts that are needed to advance and protect human rights amid measures to make the ASEAN community the center of ASEAN's work.

"As a community, commitment to advancing and protecting human rights is necessary," she said while delivering her remarks on the 57th anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Jakarta on Thursday.

She stressed that ASEAN must commit to advancing and protecting human rights to maintain peace and stability in the region.

According to Marsudi, the handling of human rights mechanisms in ASEAN must keep pace with the ever-growing human rights challenges, including in responding to the increasing incidence of human trafficking in the region.

As a rules-based organization, ASEAN must also continue to advocate for respect for international law consistently, she added.

"ASEAN must not remain silent about the serious human rights violations in Gaza. More than 40 thousand people have been killed and the number continues to grow," Marsudi said.

Furthermore, the association should emphasize a clear position and show its solidarity to advance human rights globally, including to end the genocide in Palestine and promote the peace process in Ukraine, the minister said.

The celebration of ASEAN's 57th anniversary was held at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta and raised the theme of ASEAN as a connected and resilient community.

The event was opened by ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn, Minister Marsudi, and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Laos, Saleumxay Kommasith.

The event was also attended by Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto; Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono; as well as ambassadors from various countries.

Besides ASEAN's 57th anniversary, Minister Marsudi's decade of dedication to Indonesia as foreign minister was also acknowledged at the event, along with her support for ASEAN, especially for the ASEAN Secretariat.

During the celebration, Indonesia presented collaborative batik from Indonesia for ASEAN with batik motifs inspired by the diversity of flowers that grow in ASEAN countries.

The collaborative batik offering reflected hope, wisdom, and solidarity, and symbolized solidarity and synergy between countries in Southeast Asia.

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Translator: Katriana, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Arie Novarina
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