No excuses for rights violation, say experts
No excuses for rights violation, say experts
SEMARANG (JP): The violation or denial of one's basic rights cannot be justified for any reason, including the two most often cited by governments: the maintenance of security, and the level of the people's welfare, a group of experts said.
Legislators, legal experts and human rights campaigners concluded their seminar on Monday night with a 15-point statement outlining some of the steps that Indonesia should take to further promote the protection of human rights in the country.
They said that respect for human rights must encompass civil and political rights as well as economic, social and cultural rights, all of which are inseparable.
"Civil and political rights are meaningless if the people continue to struggle against poverty and suffering," read the first point in their statement.
"On the other hand, problems relating to poverty and security cannot be used as pretext to consciously violate the human rights and freedoms of the people.
"This means that we have to strive for a balance in promoting those various rights," the statement said.
The two-day seminar was opened by Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono on Sunday to coincide with last week's commemoration of International Human Rights Day on Dec. 10.
The conclusion was formulated by some of the seminar participants, including Baharuddin Lopa, the secretary-general of the National Commission on Human Rights, and commission members Bambang Soeharto, A.A. Baramuli, Aisyah Amini, Asmara Nababan, Soetandyo Wignyosoebroto, Muladi and Marzuki Darusman.
A number of intellectuals also joined in the debate, including Nurcholish Madjid, Franz Magnis Suseno, Loekman Soetrisno, Todung Mulya Lubis and Mulyana Kusuma.
In the past, an excuse popularly used by developing countries, including Indonesia, to deny people political freedom was that the people were not ready to exercise their rights because of their low levels of education and income. Security has also been cited by developing countries as a reason to deny human rights.
Indonesia has stressed that it is putting more emphasis on the rights of the community, and not the rights of individuals as is typical in the West.
While the statement issued refrains from mentioning specific human rights problems in Indonesia, it recognizes that Indonesia "still has a long way to go in the struggle to uphold and protect the human rights of the people."
It proposes more "collective dialogs" among all elements in society to forge a common perception on the issue.
The seminar's conclusion statement underlined that development and democracy should go hand in hand and that the fullest participation of the people is essential.
It stressed that Indonesian culture does not reject the concept of human rights and suggested that Indonesia see the concept as a means to forge social solidarity.
The concept of human rights does not promote individualism, it said. Rather, the concept strives to protect both individuals, communities and groups.
The experts also agreed on the need to strengthen the role of the National Commission on Human Rights. They said the commission in its work should give greater priority to matters of civil and political rights. (har/emb)