Regional autonomy brings more rights issues

JAKARTA (JP): The implementation of regional autonomy may increase the number of human rights violations, an expert said on Thursday.

Political scientist Andi A. Mallarangeng feared that there would be more human rights violations as there were no mechanisms of monitoring, supervising and coordinating between Jakarta and the regions.

He said that if the regional autonomy is implemented, the regions would run "wild" with full authority to make policies at will. There would be no institution to revoke the regulations they make even if they are against the higher laws or public interest.

"Because of these points, the decentralization of the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) has to be implemented as soon as possible ... It's dangerous to let the regions walk by themselves without any control," he said.

Mallarangeng, a senior official in the now defunct ministry of state for regional autonomy, described the new challenges for Komnas HAM in a two-day workshop on human rights here.

He said that unclear government policy may also increase the number of human rights abuses caused by dissatisfied people.

"Jakarta has failed to provide a distinctive framework for the regions to make their own policies. As an example, the home ministry has yet to install the regent of Sampang in Madura, East Java.

"This kind of uncertainty can cause unrest among the people ... a new problem for the rights commission because it involves the masses.

"Even worse, what if the regions, feeling neglected, try to get Jakarta's attention by demanding for independence? You will be kept busy," he added.

The implementation of regional autonomy that started this year was viewed skeptically by many experts, arguing that only a few regions were prepared in terms of human resources.

Mallarangeng also pointed out that Komnas should have the mechanism to resolve conflicts which cross regional boundaries or conflicts beyond rights issues.

"Now you've got more tasks, not only to provide policy advocacy to the regions, but also as a mediator for conflict resolutions and as a policy observer.

Komnas HAM chairman Djoko Soegianto said the commission had decided to decentralize its authority because its 19 members were unable to handle all the rights issues, which mostly took place in regions outside Java.

"The centralization of resources in Jakarta is not effective. We only have one representative office in Aceh and another one in West Kalimantan and that's not enough. So we have make the decentralization plan our main strategic plan until 2005," he said on the first day of the workshop on Wednesday. (bby)