Proposal from Indonesia to Join the UN
Indonesia would like to join the UN to request reparations from the Dutch. Overall, Dutch imperialism was a detriment to Indonesia. Dutch rule in Indonesia was harsh, especially under the Cultivation System. Farmers were forced to grow certain crops. However, if crops failed, farmers lost all their money and were held responsible for the loss. In addition, the Dutch could order the destruction of the crops to raise prices on their stockpiles. Both of these economically ruined countless families, for which Indonesia demands reparations. Another reason Indonesia wants repayment is for the countless lives lost in wars against the Dutch. Several wars were waged against the Dutch, with the largest being the Java War. In the Java War, Prince Diponegoro led tens of thousands of Indonesians in a justified war to overthrow the oppressive Dutch. It failed, and many soldiers and civilians were slaughtered. Finally, Indonesia demands retribution for the ethnic persecution suffered by Indonesians. Indonesians were discriminated against and were looked down upon by the Dutch. The Dutch did not even let Indonesians speak Dutch, because they saw Indonesians as uncultured. In addition, the Dutch forced many Indonesians to move to areas where they were ethnically persecuted in an effort to develop outlying islands under the ironically named Ethical System. For these reasons, Indonesia demands the UN to force the Dutch to repay it for its imperialist rule.