Human rights implementation

Human rights implementation

From Republika

Amid the political chaos and economic mess gripping the entire country, a tragedy befell Muslims in Ambon on June 14, 2001 as they were subjected to a shooting spree by members of the joint battalion of the Indonesian Military (TNI). This brutal massacre claimed over 20 lives, some from the Laskar Jihad, and left four persons missing and 36 seriously wounded.

Worse still, as widely reported in the mass media, these soldiers of the joint battalion, who were supposed to take action against the separatist movement which had declared the independence of the Republic of South Maluku (RMS), also damaged public facilities such as a polyclinic, vehicles and a radio station.

Ironically, this brutality and other similar occurrences show that when Muslims are repressed, local institutions claiming to be the champions of human rights as well as international institutions like the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner of Human Rights, do not even say a word. These institutions will shout out loud if mishap befalls non-Muslims.

This is just a small piece of evidence of double standards in human rights. The same thing is also clearly seen in the investigations into the Tanjung Priok case and similar cases in Atambua, Doulos and Maluku. It starkly demonstrates that human rights are implemented according to the wishes of the powers-that-be, or that the implementation of human rights are inseparable from political, economic and ideological interests.

It is very obvious that what imperialist countries and their stooges have been bragging about -- upholding human rights -- is mere wishful thinking.

ABET ALKATIRI

Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi