What public figures say about human rights

What public figures say about human rights

JAKARTA (JP): The state ideology Pancasila and the 1945
Constitution both recognize fundamental human rights. Yet, basic
rights are still violated in Indonesia.

Human rights campaigns, both government and private, have
enhanced the public's awareness of their rights and the need to
respect these rights. But has the implementation of human rights
improved? Has respect for human rights increased?

Several public figures comment on the issue:

Adi Andojo Soetjipto, Deputy Chief Justice for Criminal
Affairs: We have to admit that there are human rights violations
in Indonesia. However, I don't agree with the criticism that the
condition of human rights here is poor. We have a independent
National Commission of Human Rights. Establishing the commission
showed that the government was willing to respect human rights.
That was a good start.

There are human rights violations, but the violators are by
individuals, not the government. I think they violate human
rights because they are not aware about the need to respect these
rights. There might be others who deliberately commit the
violations.

The government should punish violators harshly. The settlement
of human rights violations depends on many factors. One of them
is the question of priority. There are other things besides human
rights which are important, like politics.

Are there untouchable people? I don't think so. But I can't
guarantee that no one is immune to the law. I must have strong
foundation on which to make a guarantee.

I wish I did not see any discrimination in law enforcement.
The fact, however, is different. Some judges are not independent
in the handling of cases involving those who are powerful or
rich. They are afraid that they might be transferred to
unpleasant areas if they don't rule in favor of the authorities.
As we know, it is the Ministry of Justice, and not the Supreme
Court, which administers judges. As long as the executive has
power over this matter, it will be difficult for judges to become
independent.

Loebby Loekman, professor of law at the University of
Indonesia: Indonesia saw an improvement in human rights following
the establishment of the National Commission of Human Rights.
This deserves praise.

It can't be denied that we still have problems related to
human rights. But, improving safeguarding human rights is not as
easy as turning your hand. This is a process, and it started with
the establishment of the commission.

So far, when we talk about human rights violations, we often
refer to violations by the government. What we need to do is
create a human rights culture.

We have to admit that there are individuals in society who
violate human rights. For example, public transportation drivers
who ignore no-stopping signs violate the rights of the other
people using the road.

I'm optimistic that the condition of human rights in Indonesia
will get better. As you see, we have a representative at the UN
Commission of Human Rights, which is a very good thing.

It does not matter if there is international pressure. What is
important is that things have improved.

I don't know how long it will take to achieve a condition in
which human rights are fully respected. This depends on the
people and the government.

Robby Tumewu, a fashion designer and actor: It seems to me
that the issue of human rights has emerged only recently. A few
years ago, I did not hear about this. In the past, if people were
oppressed, they did nothing. They accepted the oppression as
their fate. But now, more people dare to fight for the rights.

My principle in life is that I will not let people oppress me,
no matter how powerful or rich they are. Well, not all people who
are rich and powerful like to oppress the poor, but things
happen. It depends on the mentality of the people who have the
power. Do you dare tell them not to oppress other people? I
wonder if the government and the National Commission of Human
Rights will be able to deal with problems like that.

About labor issues, I myself have several workers. I give them
what they deserve, depending on their achievements. I appeal to
other employers to treat their workers well, but also insist the
workers do a good job. This is a matter of the rights and the
responsibilities of both parties.

What do I know about improving respect for human rights in our
country? Who am I? But maybe I can help improve public awareness
of human rights with satires, like we did several times in our TV
comedy Lenong Rumpi.

Djohan Djauhari, Secretary General of the Indonesian Bar
Association (Ikadin): We have to admit that there has been some
improvement in the sense that the government is now more
responsive to reports of human rights violations. Yet, respect
for human rights is still poor.

When there are reports about human rights violations, the
government does not stand still. They try to settle things, and
in some cases they even form fact-finding committees. I also
notice that Coordinating Minister of Political Affairs and
Security Soesilo Soedarman was quite busy recently discussing
various issues, including the complication of
permit requirements for gatherings and cultural performances.

But the government has failed to thoroughly settle some cases.
For example, there were riots in Purwokerto and in Pekalongan,
Central Java, last month. I heard that the incidents were so
serious that the police imposed a curfew, but I don't really know
what happened. Even if this involved the sensitive issues of
religion and ethnics, the government should settle the case
thoroughly and prosecute the violators.

We have lots of rules and regulations, but they are not
enforced consistently. The law enforcement does not work. Why?
Because of the interest of certain parties. Maybe there is
collusion between the government and businesspeople which
makes people suffer.

If people must give up their land and homes to make way for
development projects, the amount of compensation should be
decided by both parties, Don't the regulations say so?

Political will is crucial in the effort to improve respect for
human rights.

Denny Kailimang, an executive of the Association of Indonesian
Lawyers (AAI): Respect for human rights has improved a little
bit, thanks to the National Commission on Human Rights. They have
formed fact-finding committees to investigate certain human
rights violations.

A perfect example of this was the murder case of labor
activist Marsinah, who was killed in 1993. Several people were
sent to court for their alleged role in the murder. But, the
commission said there were other suspects. The Supreme Court in
May this year exonerated the defendants, which had been convicted
by the lower courts.

Now, the police are still looking for the real murderers. That
is good. But it seems that the police can not touch the
institution, which is suspected to be responsible for the murder.

It is clear that the law cannot reach certain parties.

Now that we can see the handicap, we must find ways to cope
with this. What we need is the courage to act. And we also need
political will. If there is an indication that the military
violates human rights, action should be taken against it.

Government officials often fail to control themselves and
consequently abuse human rights. To prevent the abuse of power,
somebody should control them.

It is the duty of the human rights commission, non-government
organizations, professional organizations and the press to
control them. The press plays the biggest role, they should be at
the forefront.

Rae Sita Supit, Vice President of the Indonesian Tours and
Travel Agencies: We respect human rights more compared to five
years ago but there are still lots of things to do.

One of the positive things that the government has done is
establish the National Commission on Human Rights. I hear that it
works well. I hope there will be branches of the commission
throughout the country.

People are sensitive about the issue of human rights. They are
now more aware about their rights. Still, there are human rights
violations and the victims are from the middle and, especially,
the lower classes. Workers are often deprived of their rights.
They receive low wages and there is also discrimination against
women in the work place.

I understand that it will take a long time to cope with human
rights problems. Maybe a decade or more.

I feel sad that there are people from certain non-governmental
organizations who take advantage of human rights issues. These
people, who receive funds from foreign institutions, launch
severe criticism against the government to please their sponsors.

Luhut Pangaribuan, Director of the Jakarta chapter of the
Legal Aid Institute (LBH): We must accept the reality that almost
50 years after the United Nations issued the Declaration of Human
Rights, respect for human rights in Indonesia, a UN member,
hasn't improved much. Things are the same as they were a few
years ago. We still have problems with basic human rights, such
as civil and political rights, and social, economic and cultural
rights.

There are many examples of human rights being violated, such
as the government's policy on permits for gatherings, the
criminalization of the right to democracy. A number of people who
fight for democracy are made out to be criminals, like the
journalists of the Alliance of Independent Journalists and
activists at the Indonesian Association of Prosperous Labor. In
other cases, the government does not respect people's right to
live. The government demolishes their houses even though the land
case is still being examined by the court.

Human rights violations have triggered disorder, like what
happened in Jenggawah, East Java, earlier this year following
conflicts between farmers and the state plantation company.

More and more government officials talk about human rights,
but the fact is that people have not been able to enjoy their
rights.

In order to improve respect for human rights, we need to
ratify more international covenants. There are about 40 covenant
on human rights, but we have ratified only three. (sim)