Demand of human rights victims

Demand of human rights victims

From Warta Kota

Human rights violations, particularly in conflict-ridden
regions like Maluku and Aceh, have claimed a lot of victims. The
victims have pressed their demand with the authorities, who,
unfortunately, more often than not, have turned a deaf ear.
Obviously, this has aroused the victims' fury. They feel that
they have been trifled with and, at the same time, also have an
opportunity to witness the truth unfolding that this country is
really void of justice.

The weak judicial system necessitates efforts to make people
in the regions where conflicts can easily break out realize that
the conflicts are only part of orchestration by the political
elite. In my opinion, the reconciliation efforts being encouraged
by the political elite have not effectively put a lid on social
conflicts across the country. I am inclined to believe that all
these efforts are just political rhetoric, not really intended to
reach people on the lower rungs of the social strata.

Both the political elite and the government must take action
to pay heed to the demand lodged by the victims of human rights
violations. Among other things, they have demanded that the
government ensure there will no longer be any victims of human
rights violations. To be treated unfairly really hurts. Finally,
I am sorry to have to say that the National Commission on Human
Rights has practically done nothing in this respect or, if it
has, its efforts have been fruitless.

PENI AMBARWATI

Jakarta