Ananda Teresia, Jakarta – President Joko Widodo has instructed all government officials in all levels to expedite the settlement of past human rights violation cases as many cases are still unresolved.
"I hope all government officials to solve the cases quickly," said Jokowi in his speech during Human Rights Day commemoration at State Palace on Friday, December 11.
Besides past human rights violations, there are also agrarian conflicts, indigenous people's rights, health and education and rights of the marginalized.
The president said to solve past human rights cases, the government must have the courage to make reconciliation through judicial or non-judicial means. Jokowi also stressed that there must be no more criminalization against freedom of expression. "However, democracy also has its rules and they must be enforced," he said.
In solving human rights cases, Jokowi said coordination between the National Commission on Human Rights and law enforcement agencies must be improved. "Regional governments also have responsibility for the accomplishment of human rights," he said.