No excuses for rights violation, say experts<\/p>\n
SEMARANG (JP): The violation or denial of one's basic rights
\ncannot be justified for any reason, including the two most often
\ncited by governments: the maintenance of security, and the level
\nof the people's welfare, a group of experts said.<\/p>\n
Legislators, legal experts and human rights campaigners
\nconcluded their seminar on Monday night with a 15-point statement
\noutlining some of the steps that Indonesia should take to further
\npromote the protection of human rights in the country.<\/p>\n
They said that respect for human rights must encompass civil
\nand political rights as well as economic, social and cultural
\nrights, all of which are inseparable.<\/p>\n
"Civil and political rights are meaningless if the people
\ncontinue to struggle against poverty and suffering," read the
\nfirst point in their statement.<\/p>\n
"On the other hand, problems relating to poverty and security
\ncannot be used as pretext to consciously violate the human rights
\nand freedoms of the people.<\/p>\n
"This means that we have to strive for a balance in promoting
\nthose various rights," the statement said.<\/p>\n
The two-day seminar was opened by Minister\/State Secretary
\nMoerdiono on Sunday to coincide with last week's commemoration of
\nInternational Human Rights Day on Dec. 10.<\/p>\n
The conclusion was formulated by some of the seminar
\nparticipants, including Baharuddin Lopa, the secretary-general of
\nthe National Commission on Human Rights, and commission members
\nBambang Soeharto, A.A. Baramuli, Aisyah Amini, Asmara Nababan,
\nSoetandyo Wignyosoebroto, Muladi and Marzuki Darusman.<\/p>\n
A number of intellectuals also joined in the debate, including
\nNurcholish Madjid, Franz Magnis Suseno, Loekman Soetrisno, Todung
\nMulya Lubis and Mulyana Kusuma.<\/p>\n
In the past, an excuse popularly used by developing countries,
\nincluding Indonesia, to deny people political freedom was that
\nthe people were not ready to exercise their rights because of
\ntheir low levels of education and income. Security has also been
\ncited by developing countries as a reason to deny human rights.<\/p>\n
Indonesia has stressed that it is putting more emphasis on the
\nrights of the community, and not the rights of individuals as is
\ntypical in the West.<\/p>\n
While the statement issued refrains from mentioning specific
\nhuman rights problems in Indonesia, it recognizes that Indonesia
\n"still has a long way to go in the struggle to uphold and protect
\nthe human rights of the people."<\/p>\n
It proposes more "collective dialogs" among all elements in
\nsociety to forge a common perception on the issue.<\/p>\n
The seminar's conclusion statement underlined that development
\nand democracy should go hand in hand and that the fullest
\nparticipation of the people is essential.<\/p>\n
It stressed that Indonesian culture does not reject the
\nconcept of human rights and suggested that Indonesia see the
\nconcept as a means to forge social solidarity.<\/p>\n
The concept of human rights does not promote individualism, it
\nsaid. Rather, the concept strives to protect both individuals,
\ncommunities and groups.<\/p>\n
The experts also agreed on the need to strengthen the role of
\nthe National Commission on Human Rights. They said the commission
\nin its work should give greater priority to matters of civil and
\npolitical rights. (har\/emb)<\/p>",
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