Human rights and power

Human rights and power

Last week, the Supreme Court exonerated the defendants in the Marsinah murder case, which was controversial from the beginning.

Last week, too, the judges at the Jakarta State Administrative Court ruled in favor of Goenawan Mohamad and 43 other ex- employees of the defunct news magazine Tempo, who had filed a suit against Minister of Information Harmoko for his revocation of Tempo's publishing license. The State Administrative Court's ruling and the Minister of Information's stated intention to appeal the decision are proof that the legal process is respected in this country.

The existence of the State Administrative Court -- which makes it possible for people to file charges against government officials -- and the improvement of the independent status of the judiciary is a positive development which should be encouraged. Neither should be viewed as a means to humiliate government officials. Rather, both should be seen as recourses to balance power and facilitate the distribution of power. After all, isn't it true that power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely?

-- Republika, Jakarta