Indonesia and Sweden committed to strengthen cooperation in promoting Human Rights
Indonesia
and
Sweden have agreed to take concrete
steps in strengthening cooperation in the promotion of Human Rights. Both countries
are committed to continue the capacity building programs already in progress as
well as to implement a number of new programs for the following year. This commitment
was reemphasized during the second Human Rights Dialogue between the two
countries, held in
Stockholm,
Sweden, on
23-24 May 2009.
The Dialogue was co-chaired by Mr. Jan Axel Nordlander,
Sweden’s Ambassador for Human Rights and
Professor Harkristuti Hakrisnowo, Director General for Human Rights, Indonesian
Ministry of Law and Human Rights, in the presence of H.E. Ms. Linggawaty Hakim,
Indonesia’s Ambassador in
Sweden, and
other delegations from both government institutions as well as non-government
institutions.
During the Dialogue both delegations discussed the ongoing
cooperation between
Indonesia
and
Sweden resulted from the
first Dialogue, which was held exactly a year ago on the same dates (23-24
April 2008) in
Indonesia.
The delegations have also exchanged of views on current issues of concern in
the effort to better promote and protect human rights. A field visit to the
National Board of Institutional Care and home for young offenders in
Uppsala (about 60 km from
Stockholm) also took place on the second day
of the Dialogue.
The Dialogue was held in a very constructive and cordial atmosphere
and agreed on the following programs of work:
1.
To ask the Raoul Wallenberg Institute (RWI) to
look into the conditions for assisting in setting up a Master Program in human rights at the University of Indonesia with
the intention of building further capacity in the area inside the country.
2.
It was noted that the Master Program at the
RWI is open to international application, one student per country can be
admitted. Indonesians, especially Government officials, are encouraged to
apply.
3.
The Government and non-governmental
institutions in both countries are encouraged to set up a working group to
elaborate a proposal based on the various suggestions put forward as a result
of the expert exchange on the rights of
persons with disabilities and to apply for support for such a study from
SIDA. The proposal should take into account the need to train teachers and
staff working with the disabled and their families.
4.
SIDA will look into the possibilities of
arranging an ITP-course on public
relations and lobbying on the rights of the disabled with Indonesian
participation.
5.
On restorative
justice for children in conflict with the law, the RWI will aim at
establishing a pilot project in one of the provinces incorporating alternative
treatment of young offenders, parenting skills training and the role of Parole
Boards (BAPAS) with the participation of social services staff.
The collection of data and statistics on children and youth in
conflict with the law will be studied together with the National Board of
Institutional Care and other agencies.
6.
A local working group including the RWI will
map out existing programs run by other donors concerning human rights training for the security forces, particularly the police,
and identify a niche for a possible Swedish contribution to such training.
Prior to this the Indonesian party would identify specific needs for training.
7.
The RWI, in their training program for RANHAM committees, will put additional focus
on teachers/educators in order to
create a model for awareness raising and promotion of human rights in schools.
8.
Promotion of women’s rights is noted within the “Lead†program and it will also
be considered for future cooperation under the Dialogue.
9.
The Swedish party offered to assist, if needed,
in
Indonesia’s
OPCAT (Optional Protocol to
the Convention against Torture)
ratification work.
Both delegations agreed to meet for the 3rd
Dialogue in
Indonesia
during the first half of 2010.
For futher
information, please contact: Mr. Dody Kusumonegoro, First Secretary,
Indonesian Embassy,
Stockholm. kabidekon@indonesiskaambassaden.se
dodysembodo@yahoo.com or ph.
+46-8-545-55-880, cell +46-76-2786182