Page 235 - BUKU STRENGTHENING THE INDONESIAN PARLIAMENTARY DIPLOMACY FADLI ZON

While promoting such efforts, we believe that the main purpose of dialogue is to learn, to
change our perspectives and improve our understanding of reality, and to act accordingly.
Inter-religious, interfaith, inter-ideological, interethnic, and intercultural dialogues must be
consensual between and within each community and are not meant to convert one another
but to extend our respect for other’s faiths, beliefs and cultures, and to identify our common
interests, to enrich ourselves, learn and support each other to achieve our shared goals and
ideals.

We should recognize the fact that dialogues is not an end in itself but a continuous process.
Dialogues can be utilized as a universal tool for conflict resolution. Yet, dialogues alone, is
far than enough. Immediate, intensified and concrete actions should be taken against today’s
religious and cultural conflicts.

It is within our heartfelt consideration that the ongoing Rohingya persecution in Myanmar has
been affecting the neighboring countries and taking the entire region to a setback. We must
remain adamant to ensure the safety and the livelihood of the Rohingyas. For decades, their
voices have been non-existent, be it in domestic affairs, regional and international forums. We
urge all parties to respect the rule of law, exercise maximum self-restrain and to end the on-going
violence against the ethnic minority in the Rakhine State. The Government and Parliament of
Myanmar must restore peace and stability, and provide security and assistance to all those in
need irrespective of their ethnicity, race, religion and belief. Collectively, IPU members must put
an end to the displacement and to the suffering of all communities affected by the escalation of
violence. We urge the Government of Myanmar to follow the recommendations made by the
UN Advisory Commission on Rakhine State, to provide access for humanitarian assistance, and
to conform to the international humanitarian law.

Violent attacks against the Rohingyas in all its forms and manifestations are among the most
imminent threats to global peace and security, undermining the fulfilment of human rights.
With highest respect to the principle of humanitarian solidarity, the parliamentary delegation
of the Republic of Indonesia to the Inter-Parliamentary Union, requests the 137 IPU Assembly
th
to call for an emergency item entitled “Strengthening Efforts in Ending Violent Attacks on
Rohingya and Humanitarian Crisis in Myanmar”.

We believe that the Inter-Parliamentary Union has the necessary capacity in building alliances,
coalitions, and movements to recognize and put an end to the atrocities, including by promoting
interfaith and interethnic dialogues for peaceful resolution.

222 I Selected Speeches of the Vice Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia