PDI set to drop its motion on human rights<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) looks set
\nto drop its bid for a separate and powerful People's Consultative
\nAssembly decree on human rights, leaving fellow minority faction
\nthe United Development Party (PPP) alone to battle it out for the
\nunprecedented motion.<\/p>\n
PDI Assembly member, Soedarjanto, said yesterday his faction
\nmade the decision after the dominant Golkar faction offered a
\ndraft on human rights protection which is \"in line with PDI's
\ndemand to improve the country's human rights record\".<\/p>\n
Deliberation of the motion on human rights, the first since
\nthe New Order era, is now conducted by the Assembly's ad hoc
\ncommission in charge of the State Policy Guidelines.<\/p>\n
Golkar and its traditional allies, the Armed Forces and
\nregional representatives factions, oppose the motion. They
\ninstead suggested that human rights protection be included in the
\n1998\/2003 State Policy Guidelines.<\/p>\n
The three factions altogether hold 850 out of 1,000 seats in
\nthe Assembly.<\/p>\n
Soedarjanto said Golkar's draft, apparently drawn up to
\nconsole minority factions whose bid looks to end in a defeat,
\nmight serve as the most feasible compromise to end debate on
\nwhether or not the Assembly needs to establish a separate decree
\non human rights.<\/p>\n
The motion was brought to the Assembly by PPP and PDI in
\nresponse to suggestions by the National Security and Defense
\nCouncil that Indonesia need an Assembly decree on human rights.<\/p>\n
PPP representative, Muhammad Buang, said the Moslem-based
\nfaction remained steadfast in demanding the decree. Yesterday he
\ncalled for another time-out to discuss the new development with
\nhis colleagues.<\/p>\n
Golkar's draft covers similar contents as those drawn up by
\nthe other Assembly ad hoc commission in charge of nonstate policy
\nguidelines, although the first comprises four points compared to
\nthe latter's seven.<\/p>\n
The draft offered by Golkar says that human rights include the
\nright to development, to worship God, to have a family, to have
\nequal treatment before the law and security, and the freedom of
\nspeech, assembly and association.<\/p>\n
In exchange for recognition of the rights, people bear
\nresponsibilities to exercise those rights.<\/p>\n
It suggests the establishment of laws and ratification of
\ninternational covenants on human rights to ensure rights
\nprotection.<\/p>\n
Chairman of the commission in charge of the State Policy
\nGuidelines, R. Hartono, said the deliberation of human rights
\nprotection would finish before the set deadline on Jan. 23. (amd)<\/p>",
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