Indonesia urges full support for UNRWA mandate

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sugiono said on Thursday (Sept 24) that the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) must be able to carry out its mandate fully and effectively, as millions of Palestinian refugees depend on its assistance.

“UNRWA must be able to carry out its mandate fully and effectively because millions of Palestinian refugees depend on its assistance,” Sugiono said at a ministerial meeting in support of UNRWA at UN headquarters in New York.

According to Sugiono, UNRWA is facing serious political and financial pressure; thus its personnel and premises must be protected.

He called for sustainable and predictable funding to ensure the agency can continue its work.

The minister also criticized the seizure of the UNRWA training centre in Kalandia in occupied East Jerusalem, saying the move had obstructed the agency's operations and violated the inviolability of U.N. premises under international law.

“It obstructs the Agency's operation and violates the inviolability of UN premises under international law. This cannot be allowed to continue,” he said.

Indonesia will continue to support UNRWA, Sugiono said, adding that Jakarta had again contributed US$1.2 million to the agency this year.

He urged other countries to increase their support for UNRWA to ensure the continuity of the agency's work.

“What is needed now is full respect for UNRWA's mandate, backed by a shared commitment to sustaining the agency's work,” Sugiono said.

He also called for the agency's credibility and integrity to be protected from disinformation and efforts to undermine its work.

“Indonesia will continue to stand with UNRWA and support the mandate entrusted to it,” Sugiono said.

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Translator: Kuntum Khaira Riswan
Editor: Bayu Prasetyo
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