Class action suit urged against parties abusing children

Class action suit urged against parties abusing children

Debbie A. Lubis, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The National Commission for the Protection of Children called
on the public on Tuesday to file a class action against political
parties that involve children in their campaigns and rallies.

Muhammad Joni of the commission's legal advocacy and reform
division said that legal action could be taken under Article 87
of the newly endorsed Child Protection Law.

The article stipulates that people who involve children for
their political interests face a maximum jail term of five years
and a fine of Rp 100 million.

"This is the risk that parties run because it is the public's
right to sue any parties violating the law," Muhammad told a
media conference to commemorate the adoption of the UN Convention
on the Rights of the Child on Nov. 20.

The commission chairman, Seto Mulyadi, urged all parties
contesting the 2004 elections to stop the practice, which was
rampant in the previous election.

"Political parties claiming that their programs do not use
children should back their words by not bringing children to
their rallies, involving them in motorcades or asking them to
wear the parties' attributes," he said.

Seto also suggested that the government reduce the eligible
age to vote from 17 to 16 to curb the political abuse of
children.

"Children who are 16 are capable of making decisions and
expressing their options if they are allowed to vote," Seto, who
is also a psychologist, said.

He said children of that age were emotionally stable and able
to express their opinions and ideas without being influenced.

He added that the commission would submit the proposal to the
House of Representatives.

The existing Election Law and its amendment draft stipulate
that Indonesian citizens who are at least 17 years old or already
married are eligible to vote.

In 40 countries, including the United States and the European
Union, those who are 18 and over are eligible to vote, compared
to Malaysia and Singapore, where voting eligibility is set at 21
years of age.

Responding to Seto's proposal, Hadar N. Gumay of the Center
for Electoral Reform (Cetro) said the idea was uncommon in the
realm of politics.

"It's okay if we think that 16-year-old children can vote as
long as it is approved by law. But we have to make sure that they
are ready to vote," Hadar said.

An estimated 23.1 million people will be voting for the first
time in 2004. They represent 15 percent of the total population
of voters in the country.