Unpad Professors’ Council Calls for Evaluation of the Board of Peace
The Professors’ Council and the academic community of Universitas Padjadjaran (Unpad) have called on the government to evaluate policies regarding the Board of Peace and the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade with the United States, in a document titled Padjadjaran Appeal released on Thursday, 5 March 2026.
In the statement, the senior professors assessed that Indonesia’s stance in pursuing an independent and active foreign policy is facing a heavy test amid various global dynamics. They highlighted President Prabowo Subianto’s decision to join the Board of Peace and the signing of the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade, which they argue could harm national interests.
Moreover, the Unpad Professors’ Council strongly condemned the military aggression by Israel against Iran with support from the United States. They described the attack on a sovereign state as an extreme escalation that violates international law and could widen regional conflict.
‘The attack on a sovereign state is an extreme escalation that violates international law, threatens regional stability, and increases the risk of a broader regional conflict,’ the statement read, quoted on Saturday, 7 March 2026. ‘If such practices are allowed to continue, the international order based on law will lose its moral and juridical legitimacy.’
The professors also expressed condolences for the deaths of several Iranian leaders and civilian casualties in the attack. They warned that the tragedy sets a dangerous precedent in international relations by potentially normalising political assassination of heads of state or leaders of a country.
In the appeal, the Unpad Professors’ Council urged the Indonesian government to adopt a firm and consistent stance on the principle of an independent and active foreign policy as stated in the Opening to the 1945 Constitution. The principle asserts that colonialism must be abolished and that Indonesia has a responsibility to participate in maintaining world order founded on freedom, eternal peace, and social justice. ‘Therefore, the president should promptly conduct a comprehensive evaluation of membership in the BoP,’ the Unpad professors stated.
In addition to the government, the academics also asked the House of Representatives to conduct a critical study of the broad impacts of the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade and Indonesia’s membership in the Board of Peace.
Globally, they called on the United Nations and the international community to halt all forms of military aggression and to encourage the settlement of disputes through diplomacy in accordance with international law.
The appeal was signed by Chair of the Unpad Professors’ Council Atwar Bajari, Chair of the Academic Senate Yoni Syukriani, Secretary of the Professors’ Council Iman Hernaman, and Secretary of the Academic Senate Sriwidodo.