World Human Rights Day falls on December 10 every year.
"The commemoration of World Human Rights Day must be a momentum for all elements of the nation to strengthen their commitment to protecting and fulfilling the basic rights of every citizen, without exception," she added in a statement received in Jakarta on Tuesday.
She said that World Human Rights Day must serve as a reminder that all individuals have the same human rights.
Therefore, policy makers must ensure that all Indonesian people enjoy their basic rights.
She also emphasized that human rights are an important foundation for inclusive and just national development because they do not only concern civil and political freedoms.
"But it also includes the right to obtain quality education, adequate health services, access to decent work, and the right to justice under the law. All of these must be available to every Indonesian citizen," she expounded.
According to Maharani, there are still several challenges to fulfilling human rights in Indonesia, especially ensuring that marginalized groups are not excluded.
To that end, she said, the government must be more proactive in reaching vulnerable communities such as women heads of households, street children, people living with disabilities, and indigenous peoples, who have not been a priority in policy formulation.
"So, we hope that the government can provide concrete steps to ensure that marginalized communities get the same rights, especially in crucial sectors such as education, health, employment, law, and socio-culture," she added.
She emphasized that the state must be present to fulfill the rights of people at all levels of society because every child of the nation has the right to dream and achieve their goals. Likewise, marginalized communities must be the subject of development, not just the object of pity.
"The state is obliged to be present to ensure access to education for children from underprivileged families, affordable health services for the poor, and dignified employment for everyone," she said.
She also invited all parties, including the community, non-governmental organizations, and the business world, to jointly support the fulfillment of human rights and realize social justice for all Indonesian people.
"All parties must take a role in ensuring that human rights are upheld in every aspect of life. The DPR will continue to oversee policies that are oriented toward fulfilling the basic rights of the people, and I hope that the community will also play an active role in voicing this issue," the DPR speaker said.
In line with the theme of World Human Rights Day 2024, "Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now," she stressed that the human rights of the community must be fulfilled immediately, including for communities affected by war such as in Palestine and Ukraine.
"This Human Rights Day must also be a reflection for the global community that human rights violations are still continuing to occur in various parts of the world. We are witnessing crimes against humanity that rob individual rights continue to be intensified," she explained.
She added that the presence of the Ministry of Human Rights in the administration of President Prabowo Subianto is one of the efforts to bring progress in enforcing human rights in Indonesia.
"We hope that the presence of the Ministry of Human Rights can improve the mechanism for complaining about human rights, protecting vulnerable groups, and increasing access to basic services for marginalized communities," Maharani said.
"The DPR also facilitated the formation of a new commission related to this human rights field," she added.
She expressed the hope that the commemoration of World Human Rights Day can be a reminder of the importance of unity and equality in society.
The DPR is ready to collaborate with the government and all elements of society to continue fighting for human rights for a better world.
"Let us use this momentum to strengthen our commitment to creating a more just, prosperous, and dignified world for all. Together, we can ensure that everyone can live with their rights fulfilled and respected," Maharani said.
Related news: LPSK offers protection for witnesses in killing of six FPI members
Related news: Prabowo pledges Indonesia's fight against hunger, poverty at G20
Translator: Melalusa S, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2024
