UI Observer: Indonesia's Stance on ICC Aligns with Constitutional Mandate

An international relations observer from the University of Indonesia (UI), Muhammad Syaroni Rofii, believes that Indonesia’s stance of respecting international legal processes aligns with the constitutional mandate to uphold global justice. The statement was made following the United States’ announcement of a broad campaign to ‘eliminate the threat’ it perceives the International Criminal Court (ICC) poses to its national sovereignty. ‘Indonesia’s stance on international law is, of course, a standing point that refers to the Indonesian constitution, which shares the same spirit as global justice,’ Syaroni said when contacted in Jakarta on Friday. He noted that although Indonesia is not a state party to the Rome Statute, its commitment to upholding human rights is reflected through Law Number 26 of 2000 on Human Rights Courts, the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM), and the country’s involvement in various international human rights mechanisms, including having previously served as a member of the UN Human Rights Commission. Furthermore, he assessed that Indonesia’s response reflects the principle of a free and active foreign policy oriented towards realising a just world order based on international law. According to him, this stance has been consistently voiced by Indonesian leaders, from President Soekarno to President Prabowo Subianto. ‘This means Indonesia’s position has not changed regarding the fundamental principle of global justice and a world order based on the noble values enshrined in the UN Charter,’ he said. Previously, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Monday ‘comprehensive actions to eliminate the threat’ he claimed the ICC poses to US sovereignty. The administration of US President Donald Trump has frequently levelled harsh criticism against the ICC after the international body opened an investigation into US military personnel over alleged war crimes in Afghanistan. Additionally, the US has condemned the ICC’s move to issue an arrest warrant for Israeli regime leader Benjamin Netanyahu over his country’s military aggression in the Gaza Strip.