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)