What do people think about human rights?

What do people think about human rights?

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia will join today hundreds of countries
commemorating the 49th anniversary of the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights.

A number of seminars have been planned by various
organizations to greet Human Rights Day. The United Nations
Information Center Jakarta office, for instance, will hold a
special function to mark the day featuring Marzuki Darusman of
the National Commission on Human Rights as the keynote speaker.

University of Indonesia students will stage a free speech
forum and a "happening art" at their "Democratic Traffic Circle"
in front of the School of Psychology at the Depok campus in West
Java.

The Center for Information and Development Studies (CIDES) --
the Association of Indonesian Moslem Intellectuals (ICMI)'s think
tank, will hold a discussion here to evaluate Indonesia's rights
record over the past year. It will feature speakers such as
senior editor Jakob Oetama, rights activists Muladi, Hendardi and
Eggi Sudjana, political scientist Indria Samego, and
constitutional law expert Yusril Ihza Mahendra.

The Jakarta Post spoke with a wide range of people to find out
what they had to say about human rights.

Yusuf, 45, a parking attendant in Senayan, South Jakarta:

"I don't know what human rights is. I only know that human
rights issues frequently appear on TV. I watch them sometimes,
but I don't quite understand.

"I think human rights is only discussed by government
officials or prominent people. For me, the important thing is
that I am not harassed by anybody while I do my job. I only hope
that I can go on working on this street for as long as possible."

Anak Agung Banyu Perwita, a lecturer at the University of
Parahyangan's International Relations department in Bandung, West
Java:

"I still see the lack of political will from the government
(to improve its human rights record). The ban on the play on
(slain labor leader) Marsinah in Bandung is the most recent case.

"Therefore, the government's commitment toward the upholding
of human rights values is in doubt.

"The National Commission on Human Rights is a mere government
instrument to cope with foreign pressures concerning our human
rights record.

"The 1945 Constitution and Pancasila contain the principles of
human rights, but those principles do not materialize on a daily
basis.

"What the country needs is action ... the government must
disseminate the importance of human rights protection,
particularly to security officers."

Riswanda Imawan, a political observer at Yogyakarta's Gadjah
Mada University: "People with authority across the country should
be educated so they really understand human rights.

"One thing that has been hampering the implementation of the
human rights principles is that the government still considers
itself the sole agent of change. This is why the government
cannot accept dissenting aspirations from non-governmental
organizations, academicians or observers. The later groups have
demanded its implementation, rather than a philosophical
discourse on the subject."

Wimar Witoelar, a business consultant and talk show host: "The
National Commission on Human Rights has lost its strategic grip
on the issue.

"They have done a lot of things, but they could not do
anything (to change the situation) ... as the commission does not
have political power. Power holders have interfered in the
commission's mission.

"However, since the promotion of human rights has become a
global trend, the pressure to implement it can not be avoided. In
the long run, there will eventually be a reform (for improved
rights record) in Indonesia.

Slamet, a street vendor at the Senayan sports complex in South
Jakarta: "I don't understand human rights protection and its
principles.

"The only thing I am looking for in my life is the freedom to
earn a living in ways which are halal (religiously acceptable).

"I'll be very happy if I can freely sell my goods without fear
of any sweeping operation, conducted by the City Public Order
Office."

Tony Hartono, 45 years old, a security guard at a private
company: "I relate human rights issues with my rights as a
worker. In my opinion, I have the right to demand the salary that
is appropriate for living in Jakarta. And I also have the right
to ask for health benefits.

"The health subsidy is very important especially if I or one
of my family members are involved in an accident. In the company
I work for, there's such a health benefit, but it is not enough
and does not pay for all of the expenses that I have to pay when
I go to the hospital.

"For example, when I was sick and had to see a doctor, the
company reimbursed 90 percent of my medical expenses.

"I wish that the company would pay for all of the expenses.

"Regarding salary, I find that the standard here is very low,
despite the fact I have worked here for 20 years. I once asked
the director for a raise, but so far there still hasn't been any
response. In my opinion, they should consider the working term
too."

For Hadi Susanto, a 20-year-old telephone operator, human
rights issues are a recent discovery. He said this year's general
election opened his eyes to the issue.

"I refused to vote in the general election in May after I
witnessed how some leaders in my village in Wonosari (40
kilometers east of Yogyakarta) mobilized uneducated peasants and
youths to support one of the three poll contestants.

"I often witnessed the use of force. They said those who
refused to vote for the political group were the government's
foes.

"I thought I could not accept the practice. I did not want
them to seize my right, and I decided not to vote.

"People who were believed to have supported (alternative) poll
contestants (to the dominant Golkar) faced problems when they
later needed the service of public administrators such as in the
issuance of new identity cards.

"After living in Jakarta for a few months, I discovered in the
newspapers that human rights abuses are everywhere and more
severe compared to those in my village.

"I used to see village leaders force people to follow their
orders. But here I watch government apparatus arbitrarily
demolish houses in slum areas and evict the settlers." (team)