Crackdown on NGOs arbitrary: Activists
Muninggar Sri Saraswati, Jakarta
Rights activists warned on Thursday against cracking down on non- governmental organizations (NGOs) that were critical of government policies, as the move would tarnish the country's fragile democracy.
"The move against activists is baseless. We're living in a reform era; if the government considers their reports threatening, it should discuss the issues with the activists," Todung Mulya Lubis told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.
Todung, a noted rights activist and lawyer, said suggestions that the NGOs' reports would threaten national security during the July 5 presidential election were naive.
"No country, including Indonesia, is able to hide information in the world today, when communication technology has developed very rapidly," he said, adding that any crackdown against activists would have international repercussions.
"There will be backlash from the international community, if the government takes firm action against activists," he said.
Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar said on Wednesday that authorities were closely monitoring activists of 20 local and foreign NGOs for issuing reports detrimental to national security.
Da'i did not divulge the names of the NGOs, but National Intelligence Agency (BIN) director Gen. (ret) Hendropriyono told the House of Representatives on Wednesday that the Brussels-based International Crisis Group (ICG) and the Institute for Policy Research and Advocacy (Elsam) were on the watch list.
ICG Indonesia director Sidney Jones said on Wednesday that authorities had refused to extend the work permits of the ICG's foreign staff, forcing the group to stop operating in the country and virtually telling them to leave.
"The ICG is a reputable NGO founded by former world leaders. Expelling its director from the country would confirm public fears that the New Order regime is coming back," Todung said.
Arrests of activists and individuals critical of the government were common during the 32 years of the Soeharto administration, also known as the New Order.
Elsam chairman Ifdhal Kasim said on Thursday he had no idea why the NGO was included on the watch list, as no government or security officials had ever complained about its activities.
"We have never received complaints from anyone, including law enforcers. Our reports are mostly about government policies on human rights and legal reforms.
"Our criticisms are based on scientific analysis, because they are intended for policymakers, not for the general public. We have never violated any laws...," Ifdhal told the Post.
He said plans to crackdown on activists was intimidation against civil society, which was a common practice during Soeharto's leadership.
"This kind of intimidation is the old method applied by the New Order against its opponents. It is unfortunate the culture is still alive in the so-called democratic era," he said.
The ICG has released a number of reports on a variety of issues, including the war in Aceh, religious conflict in Ambon and Poso, Central Sulawesi, activities of regional terrorist network Jamaah Islamiyah (JI) in Indonesia and security reform.
Elsam has published reports on the East Timor and 1984 Tanjung Priok massacre human rights tribunals, legal reform and recommendations on the establishment of a truth and reconciliation commission.