Regulating demonstrations<\/p>\n
The draft law on demonstrations is at present in its final
\nstages of preparation. The draft will shortly be proposed by the
\nMinistry of Home Affairs. A team representing various ministries
\nis at present finalizing it. All this was explained by the
\nCoordinating Minister for Political Affairs and Security Soesilo
\nSoedarman after a meeting in Jakarta on Thursday.<\/p>\n
When the draft is completed and made into law, it will be the
\nfirst-ever legislation adopted specifically to regulate
\ndemonstrations. Naturally, its contents will be the focus of
\npublic attention.<\/p>\n
Whatever one may believe about the presence of such a law, one
\nthing on which we commonly agree is that demonstrations are in
\nessence expressions of the rights of citizens. Apart from the
\nfact that they are universally recognized by the United Nations
\nCharter, in Indonesia this basic right is protected by Article 28
\nof our Constitution dealing with the rights of expression and
\nassociation.<\/p>\n
We believe and hope that when the time comes for the draft law
\nto be debated in the House of Representatives, the interests of
\nall groups will be accommodated to the fullest. This is all the
\nmore important because in many cases demonstrations are not
\nmerely problems of law, but often carry political dimensions.<\/p>\n
For this reason it would be wise, before the draft law is
\ndebated and passed into law, to examine the issue on an open
\nforum involving all the various parties concerned. If necessary a
\npublic debate could be held. We should in this case perhaps take
\na lesson from the case of the Traffic Law, which was debated in
\nclosed meetings, only to raise opposition when it was passed into
\nlaw.<\/p>\n
-- Republika, Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/regulating-demonstrations-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }