Jakarta, IO – The auspicious re-election of the Republic of Indonesia to the Human Rights Council for the term spanning 2024 to 2026 has notably amplified the anticipations held by the global Islamic ummah towards the most populous Muslim-majority nation on earth. These anticipations primarily coalesce around the imperative to combat the insidious notion of Islamophobia and, concurrently, to champion the restoration of rights long denied to the Palestinian people amidst over seven decades of relentless occupation by the Zionist entity. These two pivotal concerns are intrinsically interwoven.
Leveraging the discourse theory propounded by Laclau and Mouffe, one can delineate a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of Islamophobia. This discourse, replete with notions such as marginalization, foregrounding and hegemony, posits that the prevailing hegemony perceives Islamism and the quest for justice as formidable barriers to the fulfilment of its aspirations. By foregrounding religious fundamentalism and marginalizing democratic interpretations of Islam, an endeavor is made to sully the authentic visage of Islam.
From this perspective, it becomes palpable that Islamophobia has been transmogrified into a mechanism for the systemic infringement of Muslims’ rights globally. The perpetuation of double standards and selective approaches to human rights vis-à-vis the challenges and crises befalling Muslims over successive decades stands as irrefutable evidence of this assertion. In instances where Islam and Muslims are evoked, there appears to be a paradigmatic shift in the interpretation of human rights and the assessment of human rights violations, thereby trivializing egregious acts against human rights such as the creation of derogatory caricatures of the Prophet of Islam, the desecration of the Quran by setting fire to it, assaults on Muslim individuals, resistance to the manifestation of Islamic elements in public domains, prohibitions on the hijab in public and educational institutions, amongst others.
The enactment of double standards in human rights has advanced to such an extent that in the face of recurrent genocides perpetrated against Palestinians by the Zionist regime over the past seventy-five years, no tangible actions have been undertaken by those professing to be guardians of human rights. Instead of adhering to their cardinal obligations of unconditional and indiscriminate support for human rights, engaging in concrete measures to cease violations of human rights, and ensuring accountability for violators, these entities have transformed human rights into a political instrument for intervening in the internal affairs of sovereign nations, an instrument now predominantly exploited by the principal violator of human rights on the global stage, namely international Zionism.
The silence to forced migrations, ethnic cleansings, and genocides of Palestinians under the aegis of the Zionist regime, which persistently endeavors to sanitize its inhumane facade by invoking the Holocaust, is particularly egregious. The complicity of Western and international communities with the victimhood narrative promulgated by Israel and the instrumental and selective employment of fabricated concepts such as Islamophobia have culminated in over fifty instances of genocidal attempts against Palestinians by the Zionist regime since the year 1948.
Approximately half a year has elapsed since the commencement of Israel’s lethal assaults on Gaza, resulting in a genocide within this compact region, claiming the lives of over 30,000 Gazans, of whom approximately 70% were women and children. Day by day, the international community bears witness to the escalating massacre of innocent Palestinian women and children, yet remains inert, making no strides towards halting these abominable crimes. Resolutions are consecutively vetoed, devoid of any substantive action or imposition of sanctions against this apartheid regime. Amidst this, certain nations, under the guise of human rights advocacy, not only refrain from acting to cease the atrocities committed by the Zionist regime but also steadfastly proceed with their military support to Israel.
Presently, the aspiration to actualize the noble objectives of human rights on the international gamut is confronted with a significant impediment: the systematic and extensive genocide of Palestinians by the world’s solitary apartheid regime, namely the occupying state of Israel. It is incumbent upon us to acknowledge that the world is confronted with the most ignominious moral and humanitarian crisis, engendered by more than seven decades of comprehensive support, the application of double standards in human rights, and the international community’s apathy towards the continuous and repeated violations of international law by the Zionist regime.
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Amidst these endorsements and manifestations of indifference, the steadfast and resolute stance of the Indonesian esteemed government, its noble people, the respected President, and the distinguished Foreign Minister in support of Palestine and in condemnation of the transgressions of the Zionist regime, especially over the past six months, stands as unparalleled and praiseworthy. The valorous addresses delivered by H.E. Ms. Retno Marsudi, Republic of Indonesia’s Foreign Minister, at international forums and organizations, including the Security Council, General Assembly, Human Rights Council, and the International Court of Justice indicates the continual and unconditional supports of the Republic of Indonesia to realize the independence of Palestine.
Indonesia is now poised to seize the opportunity to utilize its capacity for introducing and promoting a moderate interpretation of Islam worldwide to combat Islamophobia. Concurrently, by fostering unity among Islamic nations in opposition to the application of double standards and selective human rights practices, Indonesia is positioned to make a significant contribution towards the realization of the Palestinian dream.
Furthermore, Indonesia’s renewed membership in the Human Rights Council bestows upon this eminent Islamic nation another golden opportunity to champion the rights of Muslims globally, and specifically, to advocate for the oppressed Palestinian people; as articulated by H.E. Ms. Retno Marsudi, the Republic of Indonesia’s Foreign Minister, in her address at the 55th session of the Human Rights Council on February 26, 2024, affirming her support for the rights of the Palestinian people: “the enforcement of human rights worldwide currently exhibits double standards, as seen in the case of the conflict in Gaza. The UNHRC must fulfil its duty to address serious human rights violations, including in Gaza, including in Palestine.”
Faezeh Jannati Moheb, given her significant knowledge and skill set, she is adept at fostering strong diplomatic relationships between different countries. Her work involves analyzing and addressing complex international issues to promote peaceful resolutions and strengthen global security. With a keen focus on the Asia-Oceania region, she plays a vital role in enhancing cultural understanding and cooperation among nations. Her work has been published in local and International publications. In her current role as a diplomat at the Embassy of the I.R. Iran to Indonesia, she continues to represent her country with professionalism and expertise, contributing to diplomatic efforts and promoting mutual understanding between nations.