Govt says antiterrorism bill protects human rights<\/p>\n
Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak and Debbie A. Lubis, The Jakarta Post,
\nJakarta<\/p>\n
Minister of Justice and Human Rights Yusril Ihza Mahendra brushed
\naside on Wednesday fears of potential human rights abuse as a
\nconsequence of the government regulations in lieu of law on
\nterrorism and the antiterrorism bill.<\/p>\n
Speaking after a function here, Yusril said the legislations
\nincorporated possible legal measures against police investigators
\nfor arbitrary arrest or detention.<\/p>\n
He also underlined that the existing Criminal Code and
\nCriminal Procedures Code -- which stipulate the presence of
\nlawyers at every stage of an investigation -- were still in
\neffect unless the regulations or the bill stated otherwise.<\/p>\n
\"Pretrial motions against police investigators are not
\nimpossible, as such legal measures will control the
\ninvestigation. If a suspected terrorist is not found guilty, the
\ncourt will issue the order to restore his or her name,\" Yusril
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
He further said that his office had completed the draft of the
\nantiterrorism bill, which was presented to President Megawati
\nSoekarnoputri later in the day. The draft is expected to be
\nsubmitted to the House of Representatives for deliberation next
\nweek.<\/p>\n
Besides the bill, the government will also submit a request
\nfor the lawmakers to approve the two government regulations in
\nlieu of law on antiterrorism and on the investigation into the
\nBali blasts.<\/p>\n
\"The government hopes that the House will deliberate the bill
\nfirst before, perhaps, rejecting the government regulations which
\ncontains many weaknesses. The regulations were issued to avoid a
\nlegal vacuum that may hamper the investigation into the bombings
\nand other terrorist threats.<\/p>\n
\"I hope the House will understand this delicate situation,\"
\nYusril said.<\/p>\n
Many human rights campaigners have urged the House to reject
\nthe two regulations and instead call for improvement of the
\nCriminal Code in a bid to provide a stronger legal foundation in
\nthe fight against terrorism.<\/p>\n
Earlier in the day, the House's largest faction, the
\nIndonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan)
\nexpressed support for the enactment of the government regulations
\non antiterrorism.<\/p>\n
Faction chairman Roy B. B. Janis said that the government
\nneeded to familiarize the public and political parties with the
\nregulations to avoid misinterpretation and misunderstanding about
\nthe regulations.<\/p>\n
House Deputy Speaker Soetardjo Soerjogoeritno, also of PDI
\nPerjuangan faction added that the security efforts were needed in
\nthe current emergency situation in a bid to protect the people
\nwho may fall victim to terrorism.<\/p>\n
\"The country needs a legal umbrella to deal with the political
\nsituation at home, which is becoming complex,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Speaking after the faction's internal meeting, Soetardjo said
\nstrong legal measures were needed to anticipate the impacts of
\nthe Bali bombing on the country's politics, economy, and social
\nand cultural affairs.<\/p>\n
He expected the House to approve the regulations because to
\npass a bill would take much more time.<\/p>\n
Soetardjo said the public need not fear that the regulations
\nwould encourage power abuse and human rights violations if they
\nwere ratified.<\/p>\n
\"The public should not worry because the State Intelligence
\nAgency (BIN) does not work alone. It only serves to coordinate
\nintelligence personnel in several institutions. Besides, it has
\nto consult the government first before taking any measures,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/govt-says-antiterrorism-bill-protects-human-rights-1447893297",
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