More civilized approach needed for evictions<\/p>\n
Sirojudin Abbas, Lecturer, State Islamic University
\n(UIN), Jakarta, sirojudinabbas@yahoo.ca<\/p>\n
The Jakarta administration is about to restart the highly
\ncontroversial eviction program for illegal settlers in Jakarta
\nand street vendors at the end of January 2004. Like those evicted
\nearlier in 2003, those due for eviction in 2004 will face further
\nrisks of impoverishment.<\/p>\n
The Urban Poor Consortium (UPC) estimates about 8,500 families
\n(47,500 people) will become homeless. But Jakarta Governor
\nSutiyoso believes that eviction is the most humane way for the
\nadministration to deal with poor squatters in the capital city.<\/p>\n
Various sections of society have expressed strong opposition
\nto this program. The UPC has consistently challenged the
\nimplementation of this policy, while, national and even
\ninternational non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have also
\nvoiced concern. At the end of 2003, the Center for Housing Rights
\nand Eviction (COHRE) sent a letter of protest to president
\nMegawati. This international NGO, moreover, classified Indonesia
\nas the nation with the greatest violations in the world against
\nhousing rights.<\/p>\n
However, this criticism remains ineffectual. Unless there are
\nother, more humane ways to clean up the streets of Jakarta, the
\ngovernor asserts, the administration will continue with this
\nprogram. The question, then, if there were another way to do it,
\nis would the administration use such a method and would the
\ngovernor adopt it as official policy? We understand that the
\neviction policy is certainly not merely a social and economic
\nplanning problem but also a political one. However, we might give
\nthe governor the benefit of the doubt that he has the best
\ninterests of the city at heart.<\/p>\n
Jakarta, as a beautified city, would create a positive
\nimpression with foreigners, while for other Indonesian cities, it
\nshould also be an example of how development in a city should be
\nmanaged. But Jakarta, of course, is a city for all: Both the
\nwealthy educated and the poor uneducated; both Betawi and non-
\nBetawi people; those born in Jakarta and those born elsewhere. We
\nwould be out of our minds if Jakarta were managed with only the
\nwealthy under consideration.<\/p>\n
To be able to reach a possible alternative solution, common
\nground must be established. We might be in agreement that Jakarta
\nas a clean, beautiful and livable city is a good idea. It would
\nrepresent a civilized city as it should be, ideally, both modern
\nand prosperous.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, we might also be in agreement that the
\nIndonesian government has a mandate to guarantee a decent level
\nof social and economic welfare for all its citizens. This is
\nclearly stated in the Constitution. The poor, who are about to be
\nevicted, may or may not be citizens of Jakarta, but they are
\ncertainly Indonesian citizens. At this point, we have to view the
\nproblem of urban poverty in Jakarta as not merely a Jakarta
\nproblem but a national one.<\/p>\n
If we accept this as common ground for our discussion, we may
\nestablish a corridor for seeking an alternative policy. The means
\naimed at making Jakarta a clean, beautiful and civilized city
\nshould be justifiable. We should avoid the tendency to let the
\nends justify the means because that can easily result in human
\nrights violations, as such a program has done traditionally in
\nthe past. Therefore, the creation of a civilized city should also
\nentail civilized means.<\/p>\n
But how can we measure civilized means? They could be measured
\nby the extent to which they protect, promote or recognize the
\ninterests of the most vulnerable groups of our citizens: the
\npoor, the elderly, children, orphans, women and the disabled.<\/p>\n
Let's ask ourselves a question: Has the eviction policy, thus
\nfar, protected, promoted or acknowledged the interests of the
\nmost vulnerable group of citizens? The target of evictions is the
\npoorest members of the urban community. One means of evaluating
\nthis policy is to examine the three stages of eviction policy
\nimplementation.<\/p>\n
First, at the pre-eviction planning stage, we may evaluate
\nwhether the Jakarta administration recognizes, encourages or
\nincludes the participation of the target population. This is a
\nmost crucial process in establishing the method of eviction,
\ndisseminating the actions that are planned and negotiating in the
\ninterests of the relevant parties. Furthermore, does the process
\ninclude third parties i.e., NGOs or different government
\nrepresentatives? The presence of third parties in the development
\nand planning stages is an important indicator of participation.<\/p>\n
Second, during the process of eviction, we may evaluate the
\nextent to which administration officials treat those who are
\nevicted as respected human beings. It can be seen, for example,
\nwhether or not evictees understand why they must leave their
\nhomes, whether or not the evictees are given a reasonable time to
\nprepare, and whether or not the administration provides adequate
\nsupport to maintain their quality of life during and after
\ndisplacement.<\/p>\n
After eviction we can also evaluate how the process has
\naffected targeted population living standards and income levels.
\nThere is concern that if they are returned to their province of
\norigin they may face more serious risks of impoverishment. The
\nrisks can be identified as eight subprocesses: landlessness,
\njoblessness, homelessness, marginalization, increased morbidity,
\nfood insecurity, loss of access to common property and social
\ndisarticulation. The evictee resettlement program should always
\nconsider these issues and attempt to avoid further social and
\neconomic hardship.<\/p>\n
If the administration's eviction policy and practice were
\nparticipatory, treated the evictees respectfully and guaranteed
\nthe welfare of the evictees, then we could accept it as a
\ncivilized approach. However, if the process is to the contrary,
\nthen we would be wise to seek other alternatives.<\/p>\n
A civilized eviction approach requires systematic planning.
\nThe eviction policy and program should be socially responsible
\nand economically justifiable. Administration planners should be
\nable to anticipate those possible consequences of eviction and
\nresettlement programs that increase the risk of impoverishment.<\/p>\n
A civilized approach to eviction would also attempt to avoid
\nvictimizing the targets. Poor urban communities result largely
\nfrom the uncivilized (read: inequitable) economic development
\nprograms of the past. Most poor migrants moved to Jakarta, not
\nbecause they wanted to stay and become squatters, but were forced
\nto because of the lack of adequate economic resources at their
\nplaces of origin. The problems of the city of Jakarta, therefore,
\nare not the poor but poverty itself and the unjust economic
\ndistribution system.<\/p>\n
It is clear from the prevalence of the poor in Jakarta that
\nthe issues are not limited to the city administration but also
\nexist at a national level. The central government and other
\nrelated provincial governments should also be involved in the
\neviction process, as it is related to wider issues of national
\ndevelopment. A civilized approach to eviction in Jakarta,
\nhopefully, will not only result in the creation of a civilized
\ncity but also the creation of a civilized Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Such an approach, therefore, regards human beings --
\nvulnerable people -- as the top priority. It would be meaningless
\nif the city of Jakarta were built upon the tears of the poor and
\nof vulnerable citizens. The willingness of the city
\nadministration to recognize, support and protect the interests of
\nits most vulnerable citizens would initiate a larger
\ntransformation of social and economic development policy at a
\nnational level.<\/p>",
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