Judges allow private lawsuit<\/p>\n
JAKARTA: In a landmark decision the Central Jakarta District
\nCourt has allowed a private lawsuit to be heard in court.<\/p>\n
Monday's decision was taken by a panel of three judges led by
\nAndi Samsan Nganro in response to a lawsuit filed by a group of
\nplaintiffs, including women's rights activist Nursyahbani
\nKatjasungkana and social worker Father Sandyawan, over the
\nhumanitarian tragedy in the East Kalimantan town of Nunukan last
\nyear.<\/p>\n
The defendants comprise the president, vice president,
\ncoordinating minister for people's welfare, foreign affairs
\nminister, manpower and transmigration minister, health minister,
\nIndonesian ambassador to Malaysia and immigration directorate.<\/p>\n
The plaintiffs, acting for the public, said the government had
\nfailed to protect Indonesian workers and their families who left
\nMalaysia following its implementation of strict immigration laws
\nin August last year. Dozens of people died in Nunukan, East
\nKalimantan where thousands of workers and their families sought
\nrefuge.<\/p>\n
According to the judges, every citizen had the right to defend
\npublic interests and were eligible to act on behalf of the
\ngeneral public against the state.<\/p>\n
Although the country's legal system does not recognize a
\nlawsuit filed by citizens, the lawsuit is a breakthrough, the
\nruling said. -- JP<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/judges-allow-private-lawsuit-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}