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