Each countries has its own human rights view

Each countries has its own human rights view

By Ida Indawati Khouw

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia usually deflects criticism of its
human rights record by stating that it adheres to its own
concept, focused on universal values but also taking into account
local considerations.

Miriam Budiardjo, a political scientist and deputy chief of
the National Commission on Human Rights, is one proponent of this
argument. She believes every country has its own way of promoting
human rights according to its culture, as well as social and
economic developments.

The 74-year-old grandmother of two was Indonesia's first
political scientist, having obtained her master's in political
science from Georgetown University in the U.S. in 1955.

She still teaches at the University of Indonesia's School of
Social and Political Sciences and the Military Law School (STHM).
She is also an honorary member of the Indonesian Academy of
Science.

Miriam said she would resign from the rights body's present
post in December, even though she was eligible to be reelected
for another term. "I want to give the others a chance at the
position," she explained.

In her book Demokrasi di Indonesia, Demokrasi Parlementer dan
Demokrasi Pancasila (Democracy in Indonesia, Parliamentarian
Democracy and Pancasila Democracy) she defined inward and outward
views of human rights as prevailing in Indonesia.

She said the inward-looking stream stressed that people should
use Indonesia's experience as the only point of reference. The
argument was that Indonesia had recognized human rights for many
years.

The outward view tends to refer to what is often called "the
West's concept of human rights" and stresses political rights
such as free speech.

Miriam spoke in detail about the issue of human rights to The
Jakarta Post recently.

Question: What kind of human rights does Indonesia implement?

Answer: Up to now, the government implements more inward-
looking human rights. But there are signals that the difference
between the inward-looking and outward-looking is becoming
smaller...there is a (growing) compromise between the two
streams.

Western countries tend to implement the outward looking. (For
them)...economic rights is also human rights, but because those
states have reached a stage where economic rights are fulfilled,
they often do not consider the rights as human rights. Then they
criticize the developing countries which still struggle to
establish national stability (and meet economic rights). They
take economic rights for granted.

Q: What is Indonesian human rights?

A: There is no clear formulation. The heart of the matter is
that every country has different ways of implementing human
rights, caused by differences in culture, social and economic
developments, so the nature of human rights is different.

For example, unlike us, many western countries no longer have
problems of illiteracy. Democracy needs educated people. This
difference should be emphasized in implementation of human
rights.

Q: Is there ever justification for abuse of people's political
rights in developing countries?

A: Never, but it is understandable. As an example, there are so
many violations committed by police. But it is understandable,
considering their low salaries and poor benefits.

There are so many developing countries emphasizing economic
development...but there is no reason to abandon political rights.
Remember that there are particularities in every country. For
example, human rights in Indonesia still relate to principles'
rights like arrests and torture, while other countries deal with
discrimination. All countries have problems with human rights.

Q: Does this mean foreign countries have no right to criticize
other countries' implementation of human rights?

A: Yes, that's the consequence. What is ideal according to the
United Nations is cooperation among countries which have
differences (in human rights perceptions).

This is what the National Commission on Human Rights has done,
cooperating with rights bodies in Australia, Canada, Sweden. We
seek (programs) that can be accepted by all sides. It's better
than criticizing all the time.

Q: Does Indonesia take enough note of political rights
promotion?

A: The Indonesian economy has advanced, leading to the
development of highly educated people who will voice demands
about things that have yet to be met. We can see that what was
formerly rising expectations has now changed to rising demands.
We need to find a balance between development and freedom.

Q: How do you respond to criticism against the National
Commission on Human Rights?

A: Since the beginning I've thought that the (commission) would
face a dilemma. We were worried that people might have too high
expectations of us. Sometimes people forget that the commission
has limited authority, we have no subpoena power. What we can do
is mediate.

Q: Some people believe the commission's limited authority is
because it was established by the President. They want it instead
to have a position regulated by the laws...

A: I think it is not a problem. In any country, the government is
always the powerful one.

Q: Is it possible to change the commission's status from that
established with a presidential decree to one that is under the
laws?

A: I think we will remain like this for the time being, because
we are under particular political conditions that limit our
freedom.