Rights Commission's busy schedule<\/p>\n
Barring any unforeseen developments, the National Commission
\non Human Rights will send teams to four locations in East Java by
\nthe end of this month. Each area is suffering from protracted
\nland disputes which have brought great misery to many people. The
\nfour locations in question are Raci (Pasuruan), Tubanan, Dukuh
\nKupang and Simogunung Kramat, all in the Surabaya area.<\/p>\n
The commission's visits will not, according to commission
\nmember Soetandyo Wignyosubroto, be aimed at determining who is in
\nthe right and who is in the wrong since a formal institution for
\nthat purpose already exists. \"We merely want to make sure that
\nthe human aspect in those cases be given due consideration,\"
\nSoetandyo said.<\/p>\n
\"Human aspect\" is the key phrase. It is also the aspect that
\nis normally overlooked in land disputes which lead to sharp
\nconflicts between the people who are being evicted and government
\nofficials. The officials always bring in the standard and cliche
\nargument that the occupied land is \"state-owned land\", that the
\npeople are \"illegally\" occupying it and that it is now to be used
\nfor purposes that serve \"development\".<\/p>\n
Thus, in the name of \"development\" -- which tends to be
\naccorded the highest value, surpassing that of everything else --
\npeople are ordered off the land, often by means that offend
\nhumanitarian feelings.<\/p>\n
\"Development\" thus becomes something cold, impersonal and
\nseemingly isolated from the people -- whom development is
\nsupposed to serve. With such a commitment to humanity, we would
\nlike to welcome the commission's visit to East Java next week, a
\ngroup now enjoying an ever-growing trust from the people.<\/p>\n
-- Republika, Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/rights-commissions-busy-schedule-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }