The right of assembly

The right of assembly

The question of licenses needed for various purposes has once
again come to the fore. Among the reasons is the fact that Police
Brig. Gen. (ret.) Mrs. Roekmini Koesoemo was recently denied the
opportunity to speak at a meeting in Surabaya because of the lack
of a permit. And most recently a get-together planned for W.S.
Rendra at Emha Ainun Najib's house in Yogyakarta was canceled
because no permit had been obtained.

It is no wonder that questions have arisen among the public as
to the need for such licenses. Among other things, the legal
grounds and the criteria for such actions have been questioned.

Actually it has long been proposed that this matter of
licenses for meetings be regulated by legislation, as stipulated
by Article 18 of the 1945 Constitution.

If we are truly consistent in our intent to foster a climate
of openness, then the passing of a law to ensure the freedom of
assembly has become an urgent matter.

-- Suara Pembaruan, Jakarta