Vandalism and human rights

Vandalism and human rights

Vandals recently attacked the Legal Aid Foundation (LBH) and
covered their office walls with obscene graffiti.

Police have yet to find the culprits responsible for the
criminal acts, which included the pouring of a chemical liquid on
two cars belonging to the foundation.

Recently, a number of lawyers from the foundation experienced
similar incidents. A lawyer in the southern Sumatra city of
Palembang found the bolts of the front wheels of his car loosened
and his car was also smeared with a chemical liquid, which
occurred at a state court building. A lawyer in Jakarta found his
tires flattened one day and on another occasion, a lawyer in
Bandung found the windshield of his car shattered.

Those who sympathize with the foundation have labeled the
incidents as terrorist acts aimed at discouraging LBH's battle
against human rights violations.

In western countries such actions would be severely punished.
If the latest attack goes unchecked, such actions may befall
consumer protection agencies, non-governmental organizations, law
offices and other institutions which defend the public interest.

-- Mutiara, Jakarta