The Ministry of Human Rights stated that protection for Indonesian citizens, including journalists detained in Israel, is being pursued through diplomatic channels and international mechanisms.
Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai said in Bandung on Wednesday that the government had conveyed its condemnation through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and activated international instruments to protect Indonesian citizens.
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has begun coordinating with diplomatic channels. The problem is, the Ministry of Human Rights cannot directly enter Israel because there are no diplomatic relations," Pigai said.
According to him, the Ministry of Human Rights is coordinating with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which is the spearhead of international diplomacy in efforts to protect citizens.
"We are working with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is at the forefront of implementing international instruments, and they are already underway," he said.
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Pigai explained that communication with the United Nations (UN) is also carried out through the government's one-stop shop mechanism to ensure diplomatic steps remain coordinated.
"Yes, we go through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We have one door," said Pigai.
In addition to diplomatic channels, the government is utilizing Indonesia's position on the UN Human Rights Council to strengthen protection for Indonesian citizens facing legal or security issues abroad.
"We use that instrument because we are members of the UN Human Rights Council," he said.
