Bamsoet urges young advocates to expand access to justice
When ordinary people face powerful entities without legal assistance, injustice occurs. This is where young advocates must step in, not just as a profession, but as a moral calling.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Member of the Indonesian House of Representatives Bambang Soesatyo, or Bamsoet, is encouraging young Indonesian advocates to be present among the people in tackling disparities in access to justice, particularly for vulnerable groups and low-income communities.
“When ordinary people face powerful forces without legal accompaniment, what happens is injustice. This is where young advocates must be present, not just as a profession, but as a moral calling,” Bamsoet stated in a press release received in Jakarta on Thursday.
According to the 15th Chairman of the People’s Consultative Assembly, many small-scale communities still have to face legal processes independently, even though the legal system is considered complex and requires considerable costs.
This is evident in various cases, such as agrarian conflicts between communities and corporations, minor criminal cases leading to detention, and instances of violence against women and children with minimal legal support.
The 20th Chairman of the House of Representatives assessed that the biggest challenge for young advocates today is maintaining idealism amid economic pressures and the dynamics of a legal system that is not yet fully clean.
“Integrity is the key. Young advocates must dare to choose the right path, even if it is not always easy. Justice must not be determined by a person’s ability to pay for legal services,” he said.
In addition, collaboration with legal aid institutions, civil society organisations, and the media is deemed important to strengthen efforts to equalise access to justice.
“Young advocates must be able to utilise technology to expand access to justice. Do not let technology instead widen the gap,” stated this Vice Chairman General of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The message was delivered by Bamsoet when receiving the Board of the Indonesian Young Advocates Committee in Jakarta on Wednesday (29/4). The meeting was attended by several board members, including General Secretary Dirar Mahdirman Refra, General Treasurer Naim La Ode, and other board members.