ABRI argues for human rights decree

JAKARTA (JP): The Armed Forces (ABRI) on Thursday gave the green light for the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) to issue a separate decree covering the protection of human rights.

An ABRI spokesman, Maj. Gen. Agus Widjaya, also said the subversion law should be reviewed, Antara reported on Thursday.

He said a human rights decree was needed to provide a strong legal foundation for efforts to ensure that human rights are respected and because the existing laws were no longer sufficient to meet the needs of a more mature society.

Agus also said the current subversion law, issued in 1963, should be reviewed. He argued the existing law was too elastic and could be abused by the government to defend its own interests.

"Judging by the progress made by the people, the ABRI faction is of the opinion that there is a need to review the subversion law and to consider creating a more appropriate one (law)," Agus said during a meeting of the MPR's Working Committee (BP MPR).

"However, the observance of human rights must be balanced with obligations," Agus added.

Shortly after replacing Soeharto in May, President B.J. Habibie pledged to abolish the subversion law, saying it was often used by the government against its own people.

Opposition leaders and political activists have charged that Soeharto frequently used the law to imprison anyone suspected of endangering his position or voicing dissent against him.

The working committee is currently preparing the agenda for the MPR's special session, scheduled to begin on Nov. 10. It is also considering the drafts of decrees will be debated during the session.

During the MPR general assembly in March, the ABRI and Golkar factions strongly opposed a proposal from the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) and the United Development Party (PPP) to issue a special decree on human rights.

As a concession to the two factions, the MPR included the promotion of human rights in the State Policy Guidelines.

The working committee, which is divided into two sub- committees, is currently discussing 23 draft decrees which have been submitted for inclusion on the agenda for the special session in November. (prb)