Accommodation from both sides needed<\/p>\n
The Indonesian government will deny the United Nation's Human
\nRights Commission a recommendation to establish a representative
\noffice in Jakarta. The commission's ambition to open an office
\nhere was induced by its concern about human rights conditions in
\nIndonesia, particularly in East Timor. The Indonesian government,
\nfor its part, regards such a move improper because it infringes
\non the country's sovereignty.<\/p>\n
The exchange of ideas also puts the spotlight -- in a small
\nway -- on the ongoing debate between the two opposing persuasions
\nof human rights concepts and practices: the universal and the
\ncultural relativist ones. On one hand, Western countries,
\nrepresented in many cases by the United States, believe that
\nhuman rights in concept and in practice are of a universal
\nnature. On the other hand, Eastern countries generally believe
\nthat human rights are relative in nature, concept and practice
\ndepending on locally prevailing cultural, social-political,
\neconomic and ideological conditions.<\/p>\n
In Indonesia, opinions are divided into two camps. Human
\nrights activists generally agree with the universalist view. They
\nsuggest Indonesia should be more outward-looking in its human
\nrights concepts and practices, and look towards the more advanced
\ncountries for examples. Bureaucrats and government circles, on
\nthe other hand, generally prefer to take an inward-looking
\nstance, arguing that Indonesia needs to define human rights
\nconcepts and practices that are of an ingrained Indonesian
\ncharacter.<\/p>\n
The wisest attitude to take, it seems, is to accommodate both
\nopposing views proportionately. Both stances can be made to
\noperate in synergy in order to arrive at a concept that does not
\npit "human dignity" against "the state's sovereignty".<\/p>\n
The West should know its limits and restrain its political
\narrogance. We, on the other hand, should have the humility to
\naccept the West's criticism, select out of it what is good and
\nproper and use it to constantly improve our human rights record.<\/p>\n
-- Republika, Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/accommodation-from-both-sides-needed-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }