2014 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Kailash Satyarthi has reminded the\npublic that democracy must not be limited merely to election procedures,\nconstitutions, and state institutions. According to him, democracy loses\nits meaning when the people lack the power to demand and obtain their\nrights.<\/p>\n
Satyarthi delivered this message during a discussion titled \u2018A\nConversation with Kailint Satyarthi: Democracy, Human Rights, and Social\nWelfare\u2019 organised by Universitas Harkat Negeri (UHN) in Jakarta. He\nnoted that while elections can be held regularly and constitutions can\ncontain various guarantees for citizens\u2019 rights, these measures are\ninsufficient if society lacks bargaining power against the state and is\nunable to demand the fulfilment of its rights.<\/p>\n
\u201cRights must not remain merely as words on paper. When rights are\nsnatched away, democracy shrinks. When accountability vanishes,\ndemocracy sinks,\u201d Satyarthi stated on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Satyarthi illustrated this with the example of a single mother unable\nto feed her child or protect her daughter from the threat of human\ntrafficking. He argued that such a woman might not understand the\nconcept of democracy or the language of human rights, yet her struggle\nis profoundly real. \u201cAt that point, democracy loses its meaning, even if\nall its procedures are functioning normally,\u201d<\/p>\n
He assessed that democracy, human rights, and social welfare are\noften treated as three separate fields, whereas they are actually\ninterconnected; a failure in one area can weaken achievements in the\nothers. He emphasised that including rights in a constitution does not\nautomatically guarantee their fulfilment. More importantly, freedom of\nexpression, the freedom to voice dissent, and the freedom to demand\naccountability must be genuinely respected.<\/p>\n
Satyarthi also highlighted groups often unrepresented in electoral\ndemocracy, such as children, persons with disabilities, illiterate\ncitizens, and those living in chronic poverty. \u201cWhen a leader feels\nsecure with the support of a majority\u2014whether based on religion,\nculture, or skin colour\u2014it is those groups that are the first to lose\nprotection,\u201d<\/p>\n
To illustrate the failure of democracy in protecting vulnerable\ngroups, Satyarthi shared his experience meeting an eight-year-old girl\nin Pakistan who worked sewing footballs in a dim, cramped room. The\nchild would immediately suck the blood from her finger whenever a needle\npricked her to prevent blood from staining the ball, fearing punishment\nfrom the foreman. When asked about her dreams, she did not understand\nthe word, but eventually expressed a wish to one day kick a real\nfootball. \u201cWhat sin is greater than robbing a child of their dreams?\u201d\nSatyable asked.<\/p>\n
He argued that the existence of democracy, laws, and welfare\nprogrammes is insufficient if the state fails to provide real protection\nto its citizens. Referring to Indonesia\u2019s Pancasila, he linked it to the\nSanskrit term \u2018panchashila\u2019 or five core principles. He specifically\nhighlighted the fourth principle regarding wisdom in deliberation and\nrepresentation, questioning the extent to which law-making and welfare\nprogrammes truly absorb the voices and wisdom of the people.<\/p>\n
While acknowledging that Indonesia has made progress in reducing\nchild labour, Satyarthi warned against complacency. \u201cEven one child is\ntoo many,\u201d he asserted.<\/p>\n
The discussion moderator, Todung Mulya Lubis, noted that both\nIndonesia and India face serious challenges in maintaining democratic\nquality. He pointed to indicators of democratic regression, including\npressure on civil society, universities, and independent media.\n\u201cUniversities appear to be under pressure, with university leaders being\ncriminalised. Civil society is accused of being foreign agents.\nIndependent media seems to be surrendering, and very few are still\nstriving to uphold press freedom,\u201d<\/p>\n
Todung also highlighted the persistent issue of poverty in Indonesia.\nHaving spent decades providing legal aid to the poor, he noted that\ninequality and limited access to justice remain significant challenges.\n\u201cIn reality, we still need more people willing to dedicate themselves to\nassisting the poor. What is the purpose of government? Is the government\nfor the people, or the people for the government?\u201d<\/p>\n
In response, Satyarthi proposed the idea of \u2018compassion\u2019 or active\ncare. He emphasised that this concept differs from mere sympathy or\nempathy. He argued that compassion must be manifested in concrete\nactions to help victims and change the conditions that cause suffering.\n\u201cCompassion is not a soft emotion. Compassion is strength,\u201d<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/democracy-loses-meaning-when-the-people-are-powerless-1788278027", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }