Regional autonomy brings more rights issues<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The implementation of regional autonomy may
\nincrease the number of human rights violations, an expert said on
\nThursday.<\/p>\n
Political scientist Andi A. Mallarangeng feared that there
\nwould be more human rights violations as there were no mechanisms
\nof monitoring, supervising and coordinating between Jakarta and
\nthe regions.<\/p>\n
He said that if the regional autonomy is implemented, the
\nregions would run "wild" with full authority to make policies at
\nwill. There would be no institution to revoke the regulations
\nthey make even if they are against the higher laws or public
\ninterest.<\/p>\n
"Because of these points, the decentralization of the National
\nCommission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) has to be implemented as
\nsoon as possible ... It's dangerous to let the regions walk by
\nthemselves without any control," he said.<\/p>\n
Mallarangeng, a senior official in the now defunct ministry of
\nstate for regional autonomy, described the new challenges for
\nKomnas HAM in a two-day workshop on human rights here.<\/p>\n
He said that unclear government policy may also increase the
\nnumber of human rights abuses caused by dissatisfied people.<\/p>\n
"Jakarta has failed to provide a distinctive framework for the
\nregions to make their own policies. As an example, the home
\nministry has yet to install the regent of Sampang in Madura, East
\nJava.<\/p>\n
"This kind of uncertainty can cause unrest among the
\npeople ... a new problem for the rights commission because it
\ninvolves the masses.<\/p>\n
"Even worse, what if the regions, feeling neglected, try to
\nget Jakarta's attention by demanding for independence? You will
\nbe kept busy," he added.<\/p>\n
The implementation of regional autonomy that started this year
\nwas viewed skeptically by many experts, arguing that only a few
\nregions were prepared in terms of human resources.<\/p>\n
Mallarangeng also pointed out that Komnas should have the
\nmechanism to resolve conflicts which cross regional boundaries or
\nconflicts beyond rights issues.<\/p>\n
"Now you've got more tasks, not only to provide policy
\nadvocacy to the regions, but also as a mediator for conflict
\nresolutions and as a policy observer.<\/p>\n
Komnas HAM chairman Djoko Soegianto said the commission had
\ndecided to decentralize its authority because its 19 members
\nwere unable to handle all the rights issues, which mostly took
\nplace in regions outside Java.<\/p>\n
"The centralization of resources in Jakarta is not effective.
\nWe only have one representative office in Aceh and another one in
\nWest Kalimantan and that's not enough. So we have make the
\ndecentralization plan our main strategic plan until 2005," he
\nsaid on the first day of the workshop on Wednesday. (bby)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/regional-autonomy-brings-more-rights-issues-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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