NGOs and democracy

NGOs and democracy

An American woman named Sidney Jones has hit the news headlines recently. Her statements and her very existence have drawn a range of views.

Many say that Jones, who is the Southeast Asian director of the International Crisis Group (ICG), has contributed to the promotion of human rights in the country. Where as many others accused Jones of helping to 'disintegrate' the nation.

State Intelligence Agency (BIN) chief Hendropriyono said the ICG and some other non-governmental organizations (NGOs) had sold important information to certain parties for money. Hendro said that information could damage Indonesia's reputation.

The press and NGOs have become important pillars of democracy. Unfortunately, there are times when NGOs use their reports to get funds from donor countries. Worse, the reports of the NGOs have been used as references by international donors to give financial aid.

In the case of Jones, the Islamic community in Indonesia had been disturbed by her reports over Jamaah Islamiyah (JI) in relation to the Bali bombings. It was Jones who introduced Jamaah Islamiyah terminology to the world as if she was the most well- informed person about Islam and Muslims in Indonesia. And Jones' reports have apparently been used as a reference by the U.S. Congress. The result is that Indonesians have since found it difficult to enter America and some other Western countries.

We do need a free and critical press and NGOs to uphold democracy, but their freedom and criticism must be based on their love for the country.

-- Republika, Jakarta