Indonesian Law Professor Urges Stronger Government Advocacy for Abducted Citizens

A prominent Indonesian legal scholar has called for a more assertive response from the Indonesian government regarding the alleged abduction of nine Indonesian citizens by Israeli forces. Professor Heru Susetyo Nuswanto of Universitas Indonesia emphasized that Jakarta must leverage its position as the current chair of the UN Human Rights Council to strongly advocate for the release of the abducted individuals.

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Indonesia is now the chair of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. We should show our authority and strengthen our advocacy.

Professor Nuswanto unequivocally stated that the detention of the Indonesian volunteers in international waters constitutes a grave violation of international law. He asserted that Israel has no jurisdiction to apprehend civilians in areas beyond its territorial waters, labeling the act as illegal. This legal perspective underscores the Indonesian government's obligation to act decisively on the international stage.

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This happened in international waters, not Israel's territorial waters. So the arrest is illegal and violates international law.

The scholar further suggested that international political pressure and global boycott movements are the most effective strategies to secure the release of the nine Indonesian activists and journalists. He posited that Israel is more responsive to political leverage than to international legal proceedings. Therefore, efforts to free the humanitarian convoy members, part of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) 2.0, should not solely rely on legal channels. Instead, a concerted global political push, including diplomatic demands and economic sanctions against nations supporting Israel, is crucial.

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Pressure is still important, because Israel doesn't play by the law, it plays by power and politics. So the international community must exert strong political pressure.