JAKARTA, 29 Rabi al-Awwal/21 Feb.(IINA)-Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa said that Indonesia’s appointment to hold the first Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission’s (IPHRC) meeting was international recognition of the country’s significant role in promoting human rights on a global scale.

“Indonesia, as the world’s largest democratic Islamic country, has the mandate to host the first IPHRC meeting. We have to utilize this forum to enhance the roles of Islamic countries in promoting peace, such as proposing solutions to ending the crisis in Syria,” Marty said on Monday.

Marty’s press statement was made after attending a meeting between President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) secretary general Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu and members of the IPHRC at the Presidential Office.

The newly established IPHRC, which is part of the OIC, begins its first meeting at the Aryaduta Hotel on Monday and is scheduled to end on Friday. The meeting will be attended by 18 experts.

AH/IINA