Human rights to get 'respect' in Constitution

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)