Tedi Hikmah, Jakarta – A non-government organisation concerned with upholding human rights, Indonesian Human Rights Watch (Imparsial), believes the government of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has taken a selective approach and has not supported efforts to uphold human rights. Moreover, excessive violence that violates the basic rights of citizens continues to take place.
“The upholding of human rights has been subordinated by prioritising an excessive security approach accompanied with the tight control of citizens, it is precisely this that has worsened efforts to uphold human rights”, said the executive director of Imparsial, Rachland Nasidik, at a press conference on the human rights situation in Indonesia in 2005 at the Imparsial officers in Jakarta on Wednesday January 11.
In 2005, Imparsial recorded as many as 281 cases of civilians who were victims of violence committed by the police, military, civil service police and others. Moreover, members of the police force committed the highest number of violations. Out of 241 cases of violence that occurred, almost half were committed by police officers. Over the same period, as many as 165 activists also experienced violence.
According to Nasidik, the treatment of terrorism and the state’s obligation to deal with it has resulted in the prioritisation of the security approach that is excessive as a pragmatic solution. This has also been caused by the lack of a strong commitment by the Yudhoyono government to promote the upholding of human rights.
“This has been worsened by the performance of security forces and corrupt law enforcement institutions. As has occurred with the national police and the Attorney General. It is making it increasingly difficult to uphold human rights, especially in the agenda to properly upholding human rights in the courts”, he explained.
He said the government continues to apply policies that threaten civilian freedoms, perpetuate impunity, violate religious freedom and limit the public’s rights to obtain information, it also continues the use of the death penalty. In addition to this the government has also taken a half-hearted attitude in solving the murder of Munir. Even the National Intelligence Agency (BIN) and the TNI (Indonesian Military) have politicised and taken advantage of the issue of terrorism along with calling for the reactivation of the military’s territorial commands.
Imparsial believes that this selective application of democracy will continue in 2006. A security approach will of course still be the priority for the Yudhoyono government in maintaining control. It will even continue the tendency to accommodate the demands of the TNI and BIN. [dzie]
