Cabinet discusses bill on street protests

Cabinet discusses bill on street protests

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense and Security/Armed Forces
Commander Gen. Wiranto presented President B.J. Habibie a bill on
freedom of expression which includes guidelines for holding
street protests at yesterday's cabinet meeting.

Minister of Information Lt. Gen. Muhammad Yunus said the bill,
to be submitted soon to the House of Representatives, was
urgently needed because the country does not yet have a
comprehensive law on street demonstrations.

The bill guarantees the freedom to demonstrate, but also
includes several restrictions on the number of demonstrators,
venues of protests and the necessity to obtain permits from the
police.

"Demonstrations or public protests at the State Palace, places
of worship and military offices will not be allowed according to
the bill," Yunus told journalists after attending the four-hour
cabinet meeting on economy, finance and industry at the Bina
Graha presidential office.

According to the bill, the protest organizer is required to
notify police three days before the demonstration and report
detail routes and the purpose of the activity.

"But a police permit is required if the number of protesters
is to be more than 100 people," Yunus noted.

The government issued a decree in August 1995 on the abolition
of permit requirements for all kinds of gatherings.

It maintains however the requirement to obtain official
permits for demonstrations and other street activities which
could disrupt public order.

Despite the apparent relaxation of requirements, in practice
police still often dispersed meetings which were organized or
attended by antigovernment activists.

Weeks before the resignation of former president Soeharto on
May 21, students throughout the country ignored military warnings
on a ban not to march in the streets.

Yunus said yesterday that the bill was meant to implement
Article 28 of the 1945 Constitution which guarantees freedom of
expression.

Yunus pointed out quickly that the draft was totally open for
further discussion and revision and the House would have the
final say.

"Do not worry, this is just a draft," Yunus stressed. (prb)