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)