Statement by : 58th Session of the United Nations General
Assembly New York, 30 September 2003
Mr. Chairman, Since this is the first time that our delegation took the floor, let me congratulate you Mr. Chairman on your election. It is my strong conviction that under your able guidance, this Working Group will produce fruitful conclusions which lead to consensus in this complicated issue. The creation of international rules on the technology of human cloning remains highly controversial, due to the uncertainty about the risk and benefits – if any – involved; and the deep ethical and philosophical implications, as well as the economic stake. As a result of these, Indonesia believes that the regulation of human cloning should be established at the global level since domestic measures are either non-existent or sufficient due to the complex ramifications of human cloning. Only last month, Indonesia convened a national workshop, involving government officials, scientists, religious and society leaders, academicians and NGOs. The workshop aimed at gathering inputs from various parties to come up with recommendations for the Government to deal with the issue of human cloning. There is a growing opinion within the scientific and general community in Indonesia that therapeutic cloning of embryonic stem cells might offer a potential medical benefit. In addition, cultural, religious and ethical value does not necessarily reject such an application. Indonesia also notes that more than 60 science academies from every continent in the world including the Indonesian Academy of Sciences have called on the United Nations to adopt a ban on human reproductive cloning and therapeutic cloning should be exempted from the ban. It would be unwise to hastily close off any promising avenue of medical science advance, for the benefit of mankind. Therefore, Indonesia is of the view that therapeutic cloning should be excluded from the ban on reproductive cloning. Taking into account the recommendations by the workshop and the statement by the IAP, the Indonesian Government supports the elaboration of a Convention against the reproductive cloning of human being and the need to ban the human reproductive cloning. However, Indonesia also shares the view that the issue of human cloning should be approached on a step by step basis. The attempt should focus first on a ban on the reproductive cloning of human beings, and then at a later stage -- by interested States -- on measures concerning the regulation of other types of cloning, including through the elaboration of a separate international agreement.
With a view to ensuring the effectiveness of the proposed Convention, Indonesia attaches great importance to the provisions on national implementation, including a mechanism for monitoring and penalties. Indonesia is of the views that the provisions do make sure that a state party may not invoke the provisions of its internal law as justification for its failure to implement the proposed convention. We have unfortunately witnessed this unilateral measure being employed with reference to a number of significant international treaties, thus rendering an international legal instrument impotent at the national level and reducing, if not undermining, the purposes and objectives of that particular international legal instrument. Mr. Chairman, I would like to assure you, that my delegation is ready to cooperate with you and other delegations in order to find a consensus in this matter. Thank you Mr. Chairman.
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