Indonesia and Norway held bilateral Human Rights Dialogue meeting

The Republic of Indonesia and Norway jointly organised the 7th annual Human Rights Dialogue meeting between the two countries in Jakarta on 15-16 April 2008.

State Secretary Elisabeth Walaas from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs headed a delegation of 25 Norwegians from research environments, Government and NGOs. Approximately 130 people attended the opening ceremony with speeches by Ms Walaas, Director-General of Human Rights Protection at the Indonesian Ministry of Human Rights and Law Harkristuti Harkrisnowo, and Director-General of Indonesia’s Department of Foreign Affairs Rezlan Ishar Jenie.

After the opening, there were plenary discussions on the three agreed topics: children’s rights, human rights in the armed forces, and economic, social and cultural rights. The participants from the two countries then took part in working group discussions and were encouraged to share their conclusions and recommendations from these in a final plenary session.

Ms Walaas also had meetings with the Indonesian Minister of Law and Human Rights Andi Mattalatta, Minister of Trade Mari Pangestu, and Secretary General of the Department of Foreign Affairs Imron Cotan.

The annual Human Rights Dialogue meeting is considered to be a cornerstone of the bilateral relationship between Indonesia and Norway.