Action plan to help reduce rights violations

Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas announced recently the government would launch a national plan of action this year to promote the protection of human rights in Indonesia. Deputy chairman of the National Commission on Human Rights Marzuki Darusman discusses the possible impact of the plan.

Question: Do you think the launch of the national plan of action will help reduce human rights violations in the future?

Marzuki: The launching of the action plan is very timely as a national discourse on human rights has been increasing. We hope the action plan (which will be supported by a presidential decree), together with the human rights legislature now being deliberated by the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), can be used as a basis for the formulation of detailed national policies, which in turn will help reduce human rights violations in the future.

Q: Do you consider the action plan agenda adequate?

M: The agenda, which will be in line with the United Nations 1993 Declaration on Human Rights, will cover almost all aspects of life. The action plan will include the ratification of international conventions on human rights and can be followed with operational policies on a wide range of aspects of life.

Q: Do you see any other activities that could be included in the action plan?

M: As the action plan will be like an umbrella for related programs, it will provide space for the participation of non- governmental organizations, committees and society in general. Any new ideas aimed at the improvement of the national protection of human rights, therefore, could be accommodated.

Q: How did you see human rights development in 1997?

M: Statistically, the number of human rights violations and laws in 1997 were about the same as in 1996. But there was an encouraging aspect -- society's awareness of human rights has improved significantly. The acute awareness of society can help reduce further increases in violations.

Q: Does it mean that the number of violations will decrease in 1998?

M: We hope so because society's better awareness will make it easier for us to recognize violation patterns, which in turn will make it easier to look for solutions.

Q: Some government agency officials and Armed Forces members have tortured criminal suspects and rioters. Is such action caused by a lack of knowledge or by the policies they have to comply with?

M: Most of the cases are caused by a lack of knowledge. Physical oppression is frequently inevitable due to security officers' lack of professionalism and knowledge in enforcing the law. That is why the planned campaign on human rights protection through the dissemination of information and the establishment of standards in behavioral norms will be very important for Indonesia's efforts to respect human rights.

Q: How about the image of Indonesia among the international community in terms of human rights protection?

M: The image is very much affected by a misunderstanding about the implementation of human rights protection in the country. Related institutions are also slow in responding to overseas accusations and concerns over happenings in the country, even though foreign accusations are not always right. Quickness in responding to accusations is very essential and needed to show Indonesia's seriousness in handling human rights affairs.

Q: What is behind Indonesia's slow move in responding to overseas concerns and accusations?

M: Its slowness is generally caused by poor coordination between government agencies and different perceptions on policies. Furthermore, some parties place more emphasis on security in trying to solve human rights problems, while other parties place much more priority in political policies. Such problems can actually be overcome through the synchronization of perceptions, particularly in the establishment of public opinion.

We hope the national plan of action, with its preparation and implementation involving various institutions, will help improve the synchronization of those perceptions.

Q: The MPR is now debating on whether protection of human rights should be included in the State Policy Guidelines or explicitly regulated in a special decree. Which would be better?

M: Any form of decree would be fine because it would be used as the basis for the formulation of the government's human rights policies.

There is actually a more encouraging development at MPR. Its members are no longer debating on Western or Eastern versions of human rights, meaning that they have recognized the universal nature of human rights. That will make it easier for us to formulate and implement human rights policies.

This development will also help improve Indonesia's image because it will assure the international community that Indonesia is serious in trying to improve human rights protection. (riz)