The law and human rights

The law and human rights

From Media Indonesia

With reference to Indonesia's media which -- in a bid to
evaluate the law and human rights matters -- ran several analyses
of NGOs and representatives of the people. It appears that these
writings reflect a deep concern for some cases in 1996.

Recent incidents have given the public an inkling of the
complexity of some of the cases, while certain cases were not
even satisfactorily settled. These stories will form the basic
ingredients for some interesting future stories, which would
repeatedly draw attention to a sense of justice, public
protection in general and the search for justice in particular.

Take, for example, the collusion case at the Supreme Court,
the death of Tjetje (witness to a toll road robbery) and the
demise of Udin (murdered reporter). They were all a blatant
demonstration of increasing power abuse in law cases. This trend
is frightening a good part of the public and leaving it without
hope in its search for a "savior" who might genuinely defend
public lawsuits.

This is not a lamentation born out of frustration but an
expression of caring for one's fellow citizen in such a
predicament.

And, in my opinion, law and human rights enforcement must
become one of the major conditions of a proper government. We
must bear in mind that our country is basically ruled by law and
not by force. Article 27 of the 1945 Constitution explicitly
mentions that every Indonesian citizen has the same rights,
whether he or she be an official, a trader, a general or a
security guard, they all must abide by the law.

If this could be implemented, then the law might wield power
over our beloved country. It is now entirely up to the good will
of the government, which holds the key to everything.

ENO RUSNADI

Jakarta