A sound assessment<\/p>\n
Though so far no official response has been given to the
\nNational Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) annual
\nassessment of human rights conditions in this country, it can be
\nsafely surmised that the document is not exactly being greeted as
\na welcome New Year's present by the Indonesian government.
\nIndeed, if anything, the commission's verdict as released on
\nWednesday delivers yet another blow to the already tattered image
\nof the country's security apparatus, the Indonesian Armed Forces
\n(ABRI) in particular.<\/p>\n
While acknowledging that a number of positive steps have in
\nthe past year been taken to promote human rights in Indonesia,
\nthe commission notes that, overall, the conditions currently
\nprevailing in Indonesia are not conducive to the genuine
\nprotection of human rights due to the fact that a series of
\nserious violations remain unresolved and, in the public's
\nperception, are destined to do so.<\/p>\n
Noting that the protection of human rights is primarily the
\nduty of the government, the document says it is impossible to
\navoid the impression that many cases of violence have involved
\nelements of the Armed Forces, besides those involving members of
\nthe community engaged in brawls. "The elementary question that
\narises is: Why have the security and law enforcement authorities
\nin the past year not been capable of resolving serious human
\nrights violations?" the document asks.<\/p>\n
The basic answer, according to the statement, is that the
\nArmed Forces as an institution appears to be handicapped by
\n"internal constraints" created by a process of politicization
\nthat has weakened its integrity and enfeebled its ability to act
\nas an effective force. Moreover, with the military's prestige
\ncurrently at its lowest point, the spread of violence is
\ndifficult to prevent since the security apparatus lacks the
\nauthority that is needed to firmly establish public adherence to
\nprevailing norms. Unless the existing cases of human rights
\nabuses are swiftly resolved through open and fair court
\nproceedings, frustration will grow among the public, triggering
\nmore violence that will develop into a source of instability.<\/p>\n
From opening observation to final recommendation, the logic
\nand good sense of the documented assessment is difficult to
\nrefute. The document once again proves the commission's integrity
\nand relative independence despite the fact that it was
\nestablished under Soeharto by means of a presidential decree. For
\nthe security authorities, and the Armed Forces in particular, the
\npill may be difficult to swallow. ABRI and the government,
\nhowever, are well advised to accept the assessment with
\nmagnanimity if they are to win back the trust of the people. The
\nwidespread public skepticism about the ongoing trial of the 11
\nArmy Special Forces (Kopassus) soldiers accused of the kidnapping
\nof political activists, for example, shows that the commission is
\nnot alone in its view that the trial makes a mockery of justice
\nand had better be aborted.<\/p>\n
For the military in particular, winning back the public's
\ntrust and respect is especially important given its ambition of
\nmaintaining a role, albeit perhaps in a new form, in social and
\npolitical affairs. The only way open for it to achieve this,
\nthough, would be by demonstrating to the public that it is
\nsincere in its promise to "reposition" itself. Keeping cases of
\nserious human rights violations buried or suspended certainly
\nwill not help to achieve that purpose. It is a difficult decision
\nto make under the circumstances and one that is not without its
\nrisks. Nevertheless, it is a step that must somehow be
\nundertaken. At stake is the future of the people, the country and
\nthe nation.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/a-sound-assessment-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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