What do people think about human rights?<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia will join today hundreds of countries
\ncommemorating the 49th anniversary of the Universal Declaration
\nof Human Rights.<\/p>\n
A number of seminars have been planned by various
\norganizations to greet Human Rights Day. The United Nations
\nInformation Center Jakarta office, for instance, will hold a
\nspecial function to mark the day featuring Marzuki Darusman of
\nthe National Commission on Human Rights as the keynote speaker.<\/p>\n
University of Indonesia students will stage a free speech
\nforum and a \"happening art\" at their \"Democratic Traffic Circle\"
\nin front of the School of Psychology at the Depok campus in West
\nJava.<\/p>\n
The Center for Information and Development Studies (CIDES) --
\nthe Association of Indonesian Moslem Intellectuals (ICMI)'s think
\ntank, will hold a discussion here to evaluate Indonesia's rights
\nrecord over the past year. It will feature speakers such as
\nsenior editor Jakob Oetama, rights activists Muladi, Hendardi and
\nEggi Sudjana, political scientist Indria Samego, and
\nconstitutional law expert Yusril Ihza Mahendra.<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post spoke with a wide range of people to find out
\nwhat they had to say about human rights.<\/p>\n
Yusuf, 45, a parking attendant in Senayan, South Jakarta:<\/p>\n
\"I don't know what human rights is. I only know that human
\nrights issues frequently appear on TV. I watch them sometimes,
\nbut I don't quite understand.<\/p>\n
\"I think human rights is only discussed by government
\nofficials or prominent people. For me, the important thing is
\nthat I am not harassed by anybody while I do my job. I only hope
\nthat I can go on working on this street for as long as possible.\"<\/p>\n
Anak Agung Banyu Perwita, a lecturer at the University of
\nParahyangan's International Relations department in Bandung, West
\nJava:<\/p>\n
\"I still see the lack of political will from the government
\n(to improve its human rights record). The ban on the play on
\n(slain labor leader) Marsinah in Bandung is the most recent case.<\/p>\n
\"Therefore, the government's commitment toward the upholding
\nof human rights values is in doubt.<\/p>\n
\"The National Commission on Human Rights is a mere government
\ninstrument to cope with foreign pressures concerning our human
\nrights record.<\/p>\n
\"The 1945 Constitution and Pancasila contain the principles of
\nhuman rights, but those principles do not materialize on a daily
\nbasis.<\/p>\n
\"What the country needs is action ... the government must
\ndisseminate the importance of human rights protection,
\nparticularly to security officers.\"<\/p>\n
Riswanda Imawan, a political observer at Yogyakarta's Gadjah
\nMada University: \"People with authority across the country should
\nbe educated so they really understand human rights.<\/p>\n
\"One thing that has been hampering the implementation of the
\nhuman rights principles is that the government still considers
\nitself the sole agent of change. This is why the government
\ncannot accept dissenting aspirations from non-governmental
\norganizations, academicians or observers. The later groups have
\ndemanded its implementation, rather than a philosophical
\ndiscourse on the subject.\"<\/p>\n
Wimar Witoelar, a business consultant and talk show host: \"The
\nNational Commission on Human Rights has lost its strategic grip
\non the issue.<\/p>\n
\"They have done a lot of things, but they could not do
\nanything (to change the situation) ... as the commission does not
\nhave political power. Power holders have interfered in the
\ncommission's mission.<\/p>\n
\"However, since the promotion of human rights has become a
\nglobal trend, the pressure to implement it can not be avoided. In
\nthe long run, there will eventually be a reform (for improved
\nrights record) in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Slamet, a street vendor at the Senayan sports complex in South
\nJakarta: \"I don't understand human rights protection and its
\nprinciples.<\/p>\n
\"The only thing I am looking for in my life is the freedom to
\nearn a living in ways which are halal (religiously acceptable).<\/p>\n
\"I'll be very happy if I can freely sell my goods without fear
\nof any sweeping operation, conducted by the City Public Order
\nOffice.\"<\/p>\n
Tony Hartono, 45 years old, a security guard at a private
\ncompany: \"I relate human rights issues with my rights as a
\nworker. In my opinion, I have the right to demand the salary that
\nis appropriate for living in Jakarta. And I also have the right
\nto ask for health benefits.<\/p>\n
\"The health subsidy is very important especially if I or one
\nof my family members are involved in an accident. In the company
\nI work for, there's such a health benefit, but it is not enough
\nand does not pay for all of the expenses that I have to pay when
\nI go to the hospital.<\/p>\n
\"For example, when I was sick and had to see a doctor, the
\ncompany reimbursed 90 percent of my medical expenses.<\/p>\n
\"I wish that the company would pay for all of the expenses.<\/p>\n
\"Regarding salary, I find that the standard here is very low,
\ndespite the fact I have worked here for 20 years. I once asked
\nthe director for a raise, but so far there still hasn't been any
\nresponse. In my opinion, they should consider the working term
\ntoo.\"<\/p>\n
For Hadi Susanto, a 20-year-old telephone operator, human
\nrights issues are a recent discovery. He said this year's general
\nelection opened his eyes to the issue.<\/p>\n
\"I refused to vote in the general election in May after I
\nwitnessed how some leaders in my village in Wonosari (40
\nkilometers east of Yogyakarta) mobilized uneducated peasants and
\nyouths to support one of the three poll contestants.<\/p>\n
\"I often witnessed the use of force. They said those who
\nrefused to vote for the political group were the government's
\nfoes.<\/p>\n
\"I thought I could not accept the practice. I did not want
\nthem to seize my right, and I decided not to vote.<\/p>\n
\"People who were believed to have supported (alternative) poll
\ncontestants (to the dominant Golkar) faced problems when they
\nlater needed the service of public administrators such as in the
\nissuance of new identity cards.<\/p>\n
\"After living in Jakarta for a few months, I discovered in the
\nnewspapers that human rights abuses are everywhere and more
\nsevere compared to those in my village.<\/p>\n
\"I used to see village leaders force people to follow their
\norders. But here I watch government apparatus arbitrarily
\ndemolish houses in slum areas and evict the settlers.\" (team)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/what-do-people-think-about-human-rights-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}