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