Indonesia signs declaration on protection of humanitarian personnel

The Joint Global Declaration on the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel was signed by Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Sugiono, together with other proponent Foreign Ministers and officials at the UN Headquarters in New York, Sunday (21/9).

 

Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Sugiono, together with other proponent Foreign Ministers and officials, signed the Joint Global Declaration on the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel at the UN Headquarters in New York, Sunday (21/9).

The declaration will be deposited with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), and remain open for signature to all UN member states, according to the Indonesian Foreign Ministry in a written remark as quoted by Indonesia Window on Tuesday.

Its implementation will be overseen by the Group of Friends on the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel, based in Geneva.

The declaration was initiated by the Ministerial Group for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel, comprising nine countries: Australia, Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Japan, Jordan, Sierra Leone, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. To date, 104 countries, including Indonesia, have endorsed the initiative.

In his remarks, Minister Sugiono underlined the urgency of ensuring accountability for attacks on humanitarian workers in conflict zones.

“We must ensure there is no impunity or double standards in seeking accountability for the deaths of humanitarian personnel, particularly in Gaza. They are humanitarian heroes who must not be forgotten,” he said.

The declaration outlines four key commitments: (1) upholding International Humanitarian Law, (2) facilitating humanitarian access, (3) coordinating protection measures across international, national, and local levels, and (4) enforcing accountability for violations against humanitarian workers.

The initiative also seeks to strengthen protections for Indonesian nationals serving in UN agencies and humanitarian organizations in Gaza, Sudan, and other conflict areas.

“Humanitarian workers must never become targets. Our responsibility does not end with the signing of the declaration, but extends to ensuring its implementation. Indonesia stands ready to contribute and together, we must end impunity,” Minister Sugiono said.

The declaration was signed during an event starting off the High-Level Week (HLW) of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

Reporting by Indonesia Window