Stigma bearing ID cards

Stigma bearing ID cards

What about the (ex-communists) who are now living in freedom
in our society? It is said that they have their ID cards stamped
with the ET (ex-political detainees) mark. Because of that code,
they are easily detected whenever they must deal with government
offices. Normally, an official who encounters a person whose ID
card bears the ET mark will keep his distance and adopt a
watchful attitude. This naturally hurts those people.

Are codes indeed necessary under the present stable security
conditions? Is the resilience of our society not strong enough to
take care of them? Isn't it true that our security authorities
are not idle? Some recognition of their dignity seems quite in
order, particularly when looked at from a humanitarian point of
view. This is all the more true if they have come to realize
their offenses.

Eventually, one consequence of discarding the ET stamp would
be to determine our attitude towards their children and
grandchildren. A realization on their part that their fathers or
grandfathers were wrong is necessary. Still, they should not be
made to bear the burden of the sins of their elders, particularly
when they have shown themselves to be good in conduct and
accomplishments. Against the perpetrators themselves, a revision
of their punishment can be made, although on a selective basis.
Such selectivity is dictated by the need to remain watchful.

-- Republika, Jakarta