How the poor should be treated<\/p>\n
Private TV station SCTV, on its afternoon news report last
\nThursday, nicely presented the encounter between a group from the
\nUrban Poor Consortium protesting against injustice and a group
\nclaiming to be affiliated with the Betawi Brotherhood Forum.<\/p>\n
The Betawi forum was said to have resorted to violence after
\nbeing provoked by the poor people, who gathered to lodge their
\ncomplaint about unfair treatment with the National Commission on
\nHuman Rights.<\/p>\n
However, it is now almost impossible for the police to avoid
\ntaking legal action against members of the Betawi forum
\nresponsible for the violence, as the perpetrators were caught
\nred-handed on TV. The impact of the television coverage, followed
\nby print media reports, has been so intensive and widespread that
\nstrong criticism and condemnation of the event is being voiced in
\npublic circles and by social organizations.<\/p>\n
In terms of anarchic violence, it was the second incident
\nfollowing the ransacking of the office of the Commission for
\nMissing Persons and Victims of Violence by an unidentified mob.<\/p>\n
However unbecoming the Urban Poor Consortium may have
\nexpressed its members' grievances, nobody must respond to them
\nwith violence.<\/p>\n
Regardless of one's inclinations, the essence of democracy and
\nthe law must entail the defense and protection of those who are
\noppressed and marginalized. These people must be defended through
\nadvocacy and the harnessing of public opinion.<\/p>\n
-- Kompas, Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/how-the-poor-should-be-treated-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }