Ex-PKI members' right<\/p>\n
From Koran Tempo<\/p>\n
The Constitutional Court on Feb. 24 decided to annul article
\n60(g) of Law No. 12\/2003 on general elections, restoring the
\nconstitutional right for (suspected) ex-Indonesian Communist
\nParty (PKI) members and their relatives to run for legislative
\nposts.<\/p>\n
This decision constitutes a legal breakthrough, which gives
\ncertainty to the rights of former political detainees
\nparticularly ex-PKI members. It also enhances the exercise of
\nhuman rights and democracy in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
However, the decision has prompted protests from certain
\ngroups, who ostensibly fear a potential threat to the unitary
\nstate of Indonesia, based on the PKI's historical perceptions.<\/p>\n
Though anything that smells of communism is like an allergy to
\nbe avoided for most people here, as a country upholding human
\nrights and law, we should respect the court's pronouncement,
\nwhile remaining vigilant against any attempt to revive communism.<\/p>\n
However, that court decision is enough reform and should not
\nbe followed by a revocation of the ban on education or
\ndistribution of Marxist\/Leninist\/Communist material -- a ban
\nwhich was imposed by the People's Consultative Assembly in 1966.<\/p>\n
RIDWAN SALIM
\nJakarta<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ex-pki-members-right-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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