Indonesia's Next President Must Prioritize Human Rights: Amnesty

Jakarta (Antara) - Indonesia's next leader must urgently tackle the ongoing human rights violations and repeal repressive and discriminatory laws, UK-based international NGO Amnesty International said in a press statement on Tuesday. "It is disappointing that during the campaigning period the candidates have so far mostly ignored human rights. Indonesia has come a long way over the past decade, but there are still serious challenges remaining which the candidates should address," said Rupert Abbott, Amnesty International's Deputy Asia Pacific Director. There have been some human rights improvements during President Yudhoyono's administration (2004-2014), including the introduction of new human rights regulations for policing as well as legal reforms which strengthen witness protection. Indonesia has also played an important role in the establishment of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), a body which could play a powerful role in enforcing rights standards across the region. But serious violations have continued, ranging from suppression of freedom of expression and torture or other ill-treatment by the security forces, to almost complete impunity for crimes under international law committed during the Suharto era and the period of reform that followed. Further, executions resumed in Indonesia in 2013 after a four-year hiatus. Although Indonesia has signed key international treaties guaranteeing rights protections, in most cases they have not been incorporated into domestic law or implemented in policy and practice. "Indonesia's next president must go beyond paper promises and ensure that the daily reality in the country matches its lofty international commitments," said Rupert Abbott. (*)