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.