Antara News·Indonesia·Friday, September 25, 2026 at 04:51 AM

Indonesia calls for humanitarian personnel protection in conflict zone

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Nabil Ihsan, Uyu Liman

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia has renewed its call for concrete actions to guarantee the safety of humanitarian personnel in conflict zones, strongly rejecting all forms of impunity for violations of international humanitarian law.

"International humanitarian law clearly dictates that humanitarian and healthcare personnel must be respected and protected,” Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono said during a high-level meeting on the Declaration on the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel in New York on Wednesday (September 23).

“Violations must be investigated, and the perpetrators must be held accountable," he added in remarks broadcast via UN Web TV monitored here on Friday.

The foreign minister noted that the Declaration, launched last year, represents a collective commitment to ensuring the safety of those carrying out humanitarian duties amid conflicts and disasters. The initiative has so far garnered support from more than 120 countries.

Despite this global backing, the situation on the ground remains deeply alarming. Hundreds of humanitarian personnel have been killed in the line of duty, and aid facilities continue to be targeted in armed attacks.

"Indonesia has also experienced this tragedy firsthand," Sugiono said. He highlighted the destruction of the Indonesian Hospital in Northern Gaza resulting from Israeli strikes, as well as the loss of Indonesian military personnel serving in UN peacekeeping missions.

He emphasized that mounting casualties and the destruction of medical facilities indicate the fundamental issue is not a lack of international regulations, but a widespread failure to comply with existing rules.

"There must be no impunity for any violations of international humanitarian law," he remarked.

To strengthen global protections, Indonesia, alongside Egypt and Malaysia, is pushing for a resolution at the UN Human Rights Council to address disruptions to humanitarian access and ongoing threats against aid workers.

Indonesia consistently advocates for collective capacity-building to protect frontline responders, alongside mandatory pre-deployment preparation for peacekeeping forces, Sugiono continued.

Furthermore, the nation is calling for enhanced training, better inter-agency coordination during missions, and the utilization of field technology to maintain the situational awareness and physical safety of personnel on the ground.

"Our focus must center on ensuring this declaration makes a difference on the ground. Protecting those who serve humanity is not an act of charity, but an obligation," Sugiono affirmed.

Foreign Minister Sugiono is heading Indonesia's delegation to the 2026 UN General Assembly. He has been in New York since Monday (September 21) to participate in various high-level dialogues and is scheduled to deliver Indonesia's national statement on Saturday evening (September 26).

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