On human rights

On human rights

With Human Rights Day right at our doorstep it is interesting
-- and rather disconcerting -- to look at some of the figures the
Institute for Social Study and Advocacy has compiled over the
past five years.

As made public by the institute's executive director, Abdul
Hakim G. Nusantara, at a news conference on Thursday, 164 bans on
the free expression of opinion were issued during the past five
years, which makes for an average of one ban every 11 days. They
were imposed on a variety of activities ranging from discussions,
lectures and seminars to stage performances and publications.
Over that same period, 130 violations of the right to assemble
were committed by security officials.

Those actions, which were taken by security officials in the
name of maintaining public order and national stability, reflect
the general attitude of disregard which, sadly enough, still
seems to prevail among officialdom in this country. Moreover, the
cheerless statistics reflect only part of the human rights
violations that have been committed during that period. Many
other cases of rights violations, such as the use of force or
even torture against offenders and suspected delinquents, remain
obscure.

It must be admitted that considerable progress has been made
in the past few years with regard to the protection of human
rights in Indonesia. The National Commission on Human Rights,
whose independence had initially been doubted by many because it
was established by presidential initiative, has proven itself to
be quite active in protecting the rights of the ordinary
Indonesian citizen.

It does seem that the recognition of human rights, as an
inseparable part of life in any nation that calls itself
civilized, is gradually growing in our society. Although not in
explicit terms, the principle of respect for human rights is
contained in this country's Constitution. The Pancasila state
philosophy places just and civilized humanity as one of the five
pillars of our nation and state. Also, Indonesia has either
signed or ratified a number of international instruments for the
protection of human rights and more can be expected.

This growing Indonesian commitment towards implementing
international conventions regarding the subject is an encouraging
sign, despite the apparent reluctance in many segments of our
officialdom to relinquish power. Putting the principles into
practice has so far remained an obstacle which many of us have
not been able to overcome. All too often the national ideology
Pancasila, with its recognition of the dignity of man, remains no
more than a convenient motto that is used to suit the need of the
moment.

The process obviously needs time. It would be well to keep in
mind that changes here are occurring more rapidly due to domestic
progress as well as outside influences. Expediting the process
would benefit us all and also raise our standing in the world
community of nations.