Our rights record
Indonesia will take part in the worldwide National Plan of Action for human rights as United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan announced recently. The program, according to Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas, is part of the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights next year. The UN chief also urged all countries to improve their respective human rights records.
Indonesia, which witnessed appalling violations of human rights last year, involving many sectors of society, managed to improve its human rights record this year.
The most serious human rights violations this year took place during the general election campaign in May. According to the National Commission on Human Rights, this was caused by public anger, political contenders' failure to control supporters, widening social disparity and political injustice. At least 123 people were killed in a riot in Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, most trapped inside a burning shopping center.
The year was also marred by the banning of a drama about Marsinah, a heroic slain labor activist. The play was due to be staged in Surabaya, East Java, and Bandung, West Java, before it was banned by police.
It was first believed the play was banned in Surabaya due to the sensitivity surrounding Marsinah's murder there in 1993, which is still shrouded in mystery. Marsinah died after being arrested by security officers.
The ban upset the public -- notably members of the House of Representatives -- and enraged theater lovers. Legislators said the ban was a disgrace. They said the nation's image could be tarnished by the police action. They also said the officers responsible for the ban should be punished.
Armed Forces Commander Gen. Feisal Tanjung, in a meeting with House members, called for an explanation of the police ban. National Police chief Gen. Dibyo Widodo later said that security officers imposed the ban in Surabaya because organizers could not produce any permit for the show. He said the decision was made merely on security grounds.
Many people failed to understand the logic of his statement at first. It was clear in their minds that in 1995 the National Police chief issued a directive stipulating that cultural events, including musicals, dance, poetry, opera, pantomimes and plays, did not require police permission or prior notification. How could police trespass on their own directive?
The banning of the drama for security reasons suggests the principle of the presumption of innocence has ceased to have a meaning in this country. It is also a naked violation of human rights.
But the action reminds people of the police banning of seminars and political meetings several years ago on the basis of the outdated law, which was used by the Dutch colonial authorities to ban gatherings by nationalists.
The government however has decided to join the UN National Plan of Action and boost its human rights record here.
But if freedom of expression continues to be treated this way, and bannings continue to be tolerated, this country will only find itself ostracized by other civilized nations.