Statement by
Mr. Jonny Sinaga
Indonesian Representative
on the Sixth Committee
On agenda item 150:
”International Convention against
the Reproductive Cloning of Human Beings”

New York, 21 October 2004

Mr. Chairman,

No single issue in the work of the Sixth Committee attracts such passionate attention from Member States as cloning. In the process, unfortunately, no single issue has caused division among Member States as much as the issue now under consideration.

It would be recalled that last year, the General Assembly, in an unprecedented process, decided to re-open the issue. It included this item in the agenda of the 59th session of the Assembly in 2004, instead of 2005 as it was initially agreed upon at the Sixth Committee.

Also last year, in the course of Working Group deliberations, we heard compelling arguments about how the international community could confront the subject of reproductive and therapeutic cloning. Both arguments merit further consideration.

It is remarkable to note that all States echo similar concern: that reproductive cloning of human beings for whatever reason should be banned. We also share the same conviction that it is important to pay urgent attention to the development of an internationally binding instrument banning reproductive cloning of human beings. This is particularly important, given the efforts by some scientists in parts of the world to undertake such dangerous experiments. No justification, therefore, can be claimed for legalizing unnatural and asexual reproduction of human beings. After all, the title of our deliberation is “the International Convention against the Reproductive Cloning of Human Beings”.

Mr. Chairman,

In view of the foregoing, my delegation shares the view that the Ad Hoc Committee should assume responsibility for convening an international convention against the reproductive cloning of human beings. This is of the utmost urgency, and must be approached with a deep sense of responsibility and commitment. My delegation believes that all States would support this proposal.

In lieu of such a convention, all States should also endeavor strictly to supervise cloning research, including such research as is intended to be beneficial to human beings. By such strict control, we hope that possible degradation of human dignity can be avoided.

It remains the belief of Indonesia that through our deliberation, we can emerge with a common position that all research on this subject shall be inspired by the thought of the best interest of the human race, and not his exploitation or degradation.

Mr. Chairman,

Taking into account the considerable impact of our deliberation today on the life of human beings in the future, while simultaneously aware that States at this stage may have different levels of understanding as to the complexity of this issue, Indonesia welcomes and encourages the initiatives by concerned parties to encourage consensus.

My delegation sincerely hopes that our transparent deliberations here will enlighten us and will not deepen our differences, and lead us to a solid conclusion that is in the best interest of mankind.

I thank you Mr. Chairman.