Human rights to get 'respect' in Constitution

JAKARTA (JP): A People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) committee working on amendments to the 1945 Constitution will propose the specific inclusion of the words "respect for human rights" in its proposals.

"We agreed to insert 'respect for human rights' among the already existing articles or it could be a separate new article in itself," Slamet Effendi Yusuf, deputy chairman of MPR's working committee on constitutional amendments, said here on Friday.

Although the 1945 Constitution implicitly acknowledges human rights in its preamble and various other articles, Slamet said such a specific assertion was needed due to growing public demands and global trends on human rights.

The Golkar Party legislator expressed confidence that the Assembly would endorse the proposal when it convenes in August.

The 1945 Constitution implicitly recognizes several rights such as freedom of speech, to assemble and the protection of religious practice.

Commission chairman Jacob Tobing said other proposals which were being deliberated to be included in the Constitution were the inclusion of articles on the central bank, the police force, armed forces and gender equality.

Jacob also told journalists that the commission had agreed not to amend the Constitution's preamble, the unitary state form or the presidential system.

He said amendments were being considered for the presidential election system, the Supreme Advisory Council, and guidelines for a transition of power if the president is suddenly incapacitated.

"They all need further discussion," insisted Jacob.(jun)