Rights activists pressure govt on subversion law<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Top human rights activists stepped up their
\npressure yesterday on the government to scrap the controversial
\nsubversion law.<\/p>\n
Baharuddin Lopa and Muladi, both members of the National
\nCommission on Human Rights, dismissed the law as "outdated and
\nunsuitable to the spirit of democratization".<\/p>\n
"Just like an old shirt, the subversion law is badly worn out
\nand has too many holes to wear. It would be better for the owner
\nto dump it and buy a new one," he said in a seminar.<\/p>\n
The seminar opened by Minister of Justice Oetojo Oesman also
\nfeatured law expert Mulyana W. Kusumah and legal observer Hartono
\nMardjono.<\/p>\n
The rights commission on Feb. 6 recommended that the
\ngovernment drop the law which it adopted in 1963 to safeguard the
\nintegrity of Indonesia.<\/p>\n
It cited three reasons why Indonesia no longer needs the law,
\nwhich was passed without the House of Representatives' approval.
\nFirstly, the law contradicts existing laws and the process of
\ndemocratization that the country is pursuing.<\/p>\n
Secondly, said the committee, the law encourages the violation
\nof human rights because it is in conflict with other laws.
\nThirdly, the law is too general in nature, which allows the
\ngovernment to arbitrarily interpret its contents.<\/p>\n
"The subversion law can be used to punish people whose ideas
\nare different from those of the government. It allows prosecutors
\nand judges to act as if they can read the accused's mind," he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Numerous government and military officials have publicly
\nrejected calls to drop the law, which they believe is still
\nnecessary to the nation's unity.<\/p>\n
More neutral parties in the debate propose a compromise,
\nsuggesting that the law be revised and updated.<\/p>\n
Muladi, however, insisted that the law be scrapped. The law
\nwas a presidential decree and is therefore unconstitutional, said
\nMuladi, who is also the rector of Diponegoro University in
\nSemarang.<\/p>\n
It is unacceptable because its general nature allows the
\ngovernment to bring subversion charges against anyone it
\nconsiders a threat to the nation, he said.<\/p>\n
The language of the law -- which refers to perverting facts,
\nundermining and sowing hatred as well as encouraging
\ndisintegration -- is mostly vague and uncommon in Indonesian
\nlaws.<\/p>\n
Responding to Muladi and Lopa, minister Oetojo said that if
\nthe law is eventually scrapped, some of its elements should be
\nincluded in the new criminal code, which is being revised.<\/p>\n
"Legislation intended to safeguard national unity is still
\nneeded. Every country has its own internal security act," he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Subversion is always a possibility, he said, adding that there
\nare international organizations which can be paid to undermine
\ngovernments.<\/p>\n
"The organizations act like public relations organizations or
\nproduction houses which disseminate pamphlets, press releases or
\ndesign actions aimed at undermining a country," he said.<\/p>\n
The one-day seminar was co-organized by the Antara news
\nagency, Republika daily, Center for Information and Development
\nStudies and the Indonesian Bar Association. (imn\/pan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/rights-activists-pressure-govt-on-subversion-law-1447893297",
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