71 Years of the Asian-African Conference: In Indonesia's Hands, the Dasasila Bandung Torch Must Not Be Extinguished
Indonesia bears a great responsibility to ensure that the torch lit 71 years ago continues to burn brightly amid the world’s gathering clouds.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Asian-African Conference (KAA), a landmark step for newly independent nations that gave birth to the “Dasasila Bandung”, often referred to as the “Bandung Declaration” or “Bandung Spirit”, took place 71 years ago.
At that time, leaders and representatives from 29 countries gathered in Bandung from 18 to 24 April 1955 with one dream: a world free from the pressures of superpowers, enabling friendships to be forged independently and equally among nations.
These noble ideals were encapsulated in the Dasasila Bandung, which calls on countries to always respect sovereignty, reject the oppression of one nation by another, and advance common interests for peace.
The following are the 10 points of the Dasasila Bandung:
Respect for human rights and respect for the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter;
Respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations;
Recognition of the equality of all races and the equality of status of all large and small nations;
Non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries;
Respect for the rights of each country to defend itself individually or collectively in accordance with the UN Charter;
- Not using any collective defence arrangements to serve the particular interests of any major power; (b) Refraining from exerting pressure on any other country;
Refraining from any acts or threats of aggression or the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any country;
Settling all international disputes by peaceful means, such as negotiation, conciliation, arbitration, judicial settlement, or other peaceful means of the parties’ own choice, in accordance with the UN Charter;
Promoting common interests and cooperation;
Respect for justice and obligations under international law.
Amid the increasing erosion of countries’ commitments to international law and order, the 71-year-old Bandung Spirit becomes ever more urgent to be reignited by peace-loving nations.
However, the Dasasila Bandung cannot sustain itself. It must be defended by every country that claims to support it, especially by Indonesia as its host.
Indonesia must lead.