Ministry of Human Rights urges students to understand human rights based on Pancasila

Human resource development must not only focus on mastering science and skills, but must also be accompanied by the formation of ethics, morals, and an understanding of human rights in accordance with Pancasila values, said Inspector General of the Ministry of Human Rights Farid Junaedi during a human rights socialisation event at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Tanjungpura University, Pontianak, on Monday. Farid stated that Indonesia has ratified eight international conventions related to human rights. Therefore, their implementation needs to be realised through policies, regulations, and development programmes that favour the protection of people’s rights. “Students, as future leaders, must understand human rights from an early age, whether in campus life, family, community, or later when they become officials or state administrators. An understanding of Pancasila-based human rights must become part of their character,” he said. Farid also highlighted the development of digitalisation, which presents both opportunities and challenges for the younger generation. According to him, technological progress needs to be balanced with moral education so as not to erode human values. “Digitalisation cannot be avoided. Therefore, society must be able to utilise it wisely. Technology can broaden horizons and accelerate access to knowledge, but it still needs control and guidance so as not to diminish human values,” he said. Meanwhile, Head of the Regional Office of the Ministry of Human Rights for Central Kalimantan with a working area covering West Kalimantan, Kristiana M. Samosir, said the activity aims to improve human rights literacy among students so that an understanding of rights and obligations can be applied comprehensively. “We hope that through this activity, a young generation will emerge that is capable of becoming pioneers in spreading human rights values and becoming role models in community life,” she said. The Chairman of the Social Development Student Association at FISIP Tanjungpura University, Azie Mardianto, welcomed the collaboration between the university and the Ministry of Human Rights. According to him, students have a strategic role in conveying a correct understanding of social issues within society. The Dean of FISIP Tanjungpura University, Herlan, assessed that the socialisation is important for enhancing students’ critical thinking while broadening their understanding of human rights issues. He also supports strengthening cooperation with various government institutions to increase the capacity of students as an intellectual generation contributing to national development.