Statement by the Indonesian Delegation at the 13th Session of the Working Group on Universal Periodic Review - Consideration of the UPR Report of South Africa
May 31, 2012 Posted under Human Rights and Humanitarian Issues
My delegation would like to welcome the delegation of South Africa and thank them for their comprehensive national report and continued engagement in the UPR process.
Indonesia shares the urgency to address the negative societal impact emanating from the deep-seated divisions occasioned by 350 years of discrimination in the country. We welcome the solemn commitment of the South Africans as reflected in its Constitution whose fundamental values and principles represent a bridge between a divided past and a united future sensitive to the need for social cohesion, national reconciliation and identity, healing and nation building.
As a fellow developing country, Indonesia welcomes the establishment of the National Planning Commission (NPC), which is tasked with the development of long term strategies vision and projection for development and growth to 2030. The Commission had acknowledged persisting widespread inequalities in the country and the existence of direct linkages between poverty and deprivations in health care, education and social infrastructure.
Aware of the strategic role of MDGs from human rights perspective, my delegation notes with appreciation the partnership between the government and the UNDP in introducing a collaborative programme, namely, the MDGs Acceleration Framework (MAF). The framework is designed to help governments and partners systematically identify and prioritize bottlenecks to progress on particular MDG targets that are off track and find ‘accelerated’ solutions to these bottlenecks. In this regard, we recommend that the South African Government continue their efforts to accelerate the achievement of the MDGs target, particularly those health related MDGs.
Despite its outstanding global role, South Africa is still facing considerable challenges in combating racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance domestically. Indonesia therefore recommends the South African Government to step up its measures to mitigate the scourges of xenophobia, which include among others, visible policing, community awareness programmes, promotion of tolerance and cultural diversity.
To conclude, Madam President, Indonesia wishes the South African government and its people every success in their future endeavours towards the betterment of each and every South African in the country.
I thank you.
Geneva, 31 May 2012