Komnas HAM reports rising human rights violations

The National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) says that human rights violations are still happening across the country and have increased in the past few years.

Commission member Hesti Armiwulan said Monday that from 2008 to 2010, complaints filed with the commission increased significantly.

“In 2008, we received around 4,000 complaints, while in 2009 there were about 5,000. As of October this year, we recorded more than 5,000 cases,” Hesti said in a press conference in Makassar, South Sulawesi.

Hesti underlined that the scope of violations had also expanded, from civil and political rights violations as in the past to violations of economic and socio-cultural rights these days.

Human rights perpetrators not only involved state or government personnel as in the past but also law enforcers, corporations, multinational companies and common people.

“This is ironic since the core value of good governance is human rights protection. But, the reality is simply the other way around. The human rights violations are increasing even when the government is trying to reform itself,” Hesti said.

Komnas HAM has organized a workshop on human rights protection for governors, mayors and regents from eastern Indonesia that starts Tuesday. At least 13 governors and 174 mayors/regents will attend the workshop.

Besides those from the commission, former Constitutional Court chief Jimly Assidiqie and senior diplomat Makarim Wibisono will be panelists in the workshop.

Hesti said the workshop had been organized to improve local leaders’ understanding of human rights protection.

"We want to raise awareness among these local leaders concerning human rights and build partnerships as well as forge a commitment to eradicating and minimizing human rights violations in their regions,” Hesti said.

Another commission member, Syaharuddin, said the apparent lack of understanding among local leaders was reflected in the fact that few bylaws had been drafted in accordance to human rights protection.

“After this workshop, we hope these local leaders will make policies and bylaws in accordance with the human rights perspective so that they can help reduce human rights violations,” Syaharuddin said.


(2010-11-23/thejakartapost.com)