ABRI argues for human rights decree

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)