Democracy YLBHI's top priority

Democracy YLBHI's top priority

JAKARTA (JP): Leaders of the Indonesian Legal Aid Institute (YLBHI) have agreed to stick to their present mission of fighting for greater democracy in the country.

The foundation said that at the end of a three-day leadership meeting on Tuesday members agreed on YLBHI's main mission for the next four years, which includes the establishment of a democratic government system, free and independent institutions, and better organization synergy.

YLBHI said in a statement that it will fight for more democratic mechanisms and more effective control by the people. Democracy in the country is only possible through strong civilian institutions and when the people are allowed to freely organize politically, it added.

The meeting was attended by the executive board's 12 members, four members from the caretaker board, nine members from the advisory board and representatives from the 16 Legal Aid Institutes throughout Indonesia.

The executive board is currently led by a presidium of four people -- Soekardjo Adidjojo, Amartiwi Saleh, Mas Achmad Santosa and Frans Hendra Winarta -- who are filling in a vacuum that was created when Adnan Buyung Nasution tendered his resignation in October.

It was Adnan who two years ago declared that YLBHI was a "locomotive for democracy" that should take on more politically- charged cases, including human rights issues.

According to the statement, the caretaker board will continue with its task pending the results of an election for the executive director position, which should be held by the end of February. (emb)