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Amnesty International describes minister Yusril's Human Rights Day speech as empty rhetoric

Source
Tempo - December 11, 2024

Imam Hamdi Eka Yudha Saputra, Jakarta – Amnesty International Indonesia considers the speech of the Coordinating Minister for Legal, Political, and Security Affairs and Minister of Legal, Human Rights, Immigration, and Correctional Affairs, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, on Human Rights Day on December 10, 2024, merely empty rhetoric. Executive Director of Amnesty International Indonesia Usman Hamid stated that Yusril's speech starkly contrasts what is happening on the ground.

"Minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra's speech on Human Rights Day is just empty rhetoric that facts on the ground can easily refute if the government is willing to open their eyes," said Usman Hamid in a written statement on December 10, 2024.

Usman acknowledged that many legal foundations and regulations have been established to enforce human rights in Indonesia. However, he said, the reality on the ground is still far from expectations. He mentioned that, up to now, the country has failed to investigate cases of past human rights violations. The government, he said, instead perpetuates a culture of impunity against human rights violations committed by security forces.

In his speech, Usman said Minister Yusril emphasized the government's commitment to ensuring that every citizen has human rights that are in line with any background without discrimination. Ironically, this statement was made just days after the Kuningan District Government committed a human rights violation by banning an Ahmadiyya community meeting on December 6-8, 2024," said Usman.

To make it more ironic, Usman continued, the ban happened two days after President Prabowo emphasized the importance of diversity and harmony as a unity token for Indonesian society.

According to Usman, the inconsistency between rhetoric and reality should seriously concern the government in truly enforcing its commitment. Emphasizing economic, social, and cultural rights asserts that the government has neglected civil and political rights marked by the rampant criminalization and repression of peaceful actions by authorities on the streets and social media.

The Director of Amnesty International Indonesia also mentioned that parties rejecting national strategic projects are also vulnerable to facing criminalization and persecution. The state's disregard for its citizens' civil and political rights narrows civil spaces in Indonesia.

"There must be real actions in enforcing human rights and resolving human rights violation cases through a fair legal process," he said.

When giving a speech at the commemoration event of Human Rights Day at the National Commission on Human Rights office in Jakarta yesterday, Yusril stated that the new government under President Prabowo Subianto will continue the efforts to enforce human rights that the previous government has initiated.

Yusril also stated that every citizen has equal rights under the law and has equal opportunities to enjoy basic economic, social, and cultural rights. He said that the state guarantees that every citizen has equal human rights without any discrimination based on background.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/1951351/amnesty-international-describes-minister-yusrils-human-rights-day-speech-as-empty-rhetori

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