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Monday, May 30, 2011
Lawmaker wants more Indonesian women in UN peacekeeping missions
Antara News, Mon, May 30 2011
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - A member of the House of Representatives` Commission I covering defense and foreign affairs, Nurhayati Ali Assegaf said she was hoping to see more Indonesian women join UN peacekeeping missions.
" I fully support women`s engagement in peacekeeping efforts. If women get very good education, I believe they will have their own capacity to contribute to peace processes in the world," Nurhayati said here on Monday at a discussion titled "Indonesia`s Role in Peacekeeping Efforts" held by state radio station RRI`s World Service at the Sultan Hotel.
In the discussion held to mark International Day of UN Peacekeepers, Nurhayati said, like male troops, Indonesian female armed forces personnel were also capable of contributing to the efforts to maintain peace and security in the world.
Meanwhile, the chief of the Peace Mission of Indonesian Armed Forces I Gde Sunarta stated the assignment of female soldiers to serve in UN peacekeeping forces was increasing. While only one woman was sent to a peacekeeping mission in Congo in 2001, 24 were working in various countries in the world under the UN flag in the 2010-2011 period.
However, he admitted the women were not sent to combat zones. "We put them in staff positions and include them in public relations activities with NGOs and the public," he said.
"We are willing to see more female troops serving as members of UN peacekeeping forces in the future, especially now that the UN focuses on issues related to sexual abuse and protection of children," he said.
Earlier, UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon in remarks on the International Day of Peacekeepers stated there were more than 53,000 uniformed personnel and at least 11,000 civilian staff from 94 countries serving in 15 missions across the globe. These numbers were likely to increase as the Security Council had just approved an operation in Burundi, and another was being planned for Sudan.
"The growth in missions is a welcome sign that many countries are choosing a healthier path as they emerge from violent conflicts. But it also places enormous strain on our existing resources. I urge Member States to provide the additional peacekeepers that will be needed, and the resources to go with them," he said.
He said peacekeeping had long since evolved beyond its traditional role as a monitor of ceasefires. Today, UN missions engaged in such tasks as assisting political transitions, building institutions, fostering the spread of the rule of law, supporting economic reconstruction, supervising elections, disarming militias and former combatants, facilitating humanitarian aid programs and re-settling refugees and displaced persons.
"Peacekeeping missions can never end wars by themselves. But they do offer the best possible way of ensuring there is a sustainable peace. On the International Day for UN Peacekeepers, let us remember that the most expensive peacekeeping operation costs far less than the cheapest war. That is an investment well worth making," he said.
Editor: Heru
Saturday, May 28, 2011
BJ Habibie to receive "Star of Soekarno" Award
Antara News, Sat, May 28 2011
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Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Prof Dr Eng BJ Habibie will receive The Star of Soekarno Award from Rachmawati Soekarno, a daughter of the country`s first president, Soekarno, and rector of the University of Bung Karno (UBK).
Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie. (ANTARA) |
"As it has been done before, the award is given to a national or international figure considered having made a significant contribution toward the promotion of Soekarno`s big ideas," Rachmawati, who is also Chairperson of the Soekarno Education Foundation, said here Saturday.
This time, the Award is given to one of Indonesia`s best sons and a prominent national figure, BJ Habibie, for several considerations, including his initiative to develop Soekarno`s ideas, she said.
"And it was Habibie who issued the permit for the establishment of Bung Karno University and he inaugurated it when he was the president of Indonesia in 1999," she said.
The Award presentation will be held at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC) on May 29, 2011, which is expected to be attended by domestic and foreign guests, Ade Reza, a member of the Star of Soekarno Award presentation ceremony, said.
"Thousands of people, who are admirers of Bung Karno, are expected to be present in the event," he said.
Previous recipients of the Star of Soekarno Awards were Dr Sun Yat Sen of China, Ho Chi Minh of Vietnam, and Kim Il Sung of Korea.
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Indonesia's Transgender Community Facing Test of Faith
Jakarta Globe, Elisabeth Oktofani, May 28, 2011
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For Indonesian transgenders, practicing religion in public is not an easy thing, but that doesn’t stop some from trying.
Mariyani, a 50-year-old transgender hairdresser, said during a discussion on homosexuality and religion that transgender people, just like other people, wish to be able to practice their religion openly.
“If I ever had the choice, I would not want to be a transgender, but this is what God has decided for me,” Mariyani said.
“It needs to be understood that it is not true that all transgenders are bad, because there are good transgenders who actually have a strong willingness to publicly practice religion but unfortunately we are not accepted,” she said.
But Merlyn Sopjan, a Christian transgender who heads the Malang Transsexual Association (Iwama), told the Jakarta Globe that unlike Mariyani, she has never experienced rejection in her church.
“Even though there are many people who know that I am a transgender, no one stares at me every time I walk to the church and I feel so comfortable because I can practice my religion peacefully,” Merlyn said.
“I think it is because that in Christian religious rites, the male and female believers are not segregated,” she added.
“However, I have one friend who was told by the priest that he cannot join the Mass if he dresses up as a woman.”
Merlyn said she expects that transgenders will eventually be accepted within religious groups.
“As human beings who are committed to our religion, we just want to have the freedom to practice our religion as other people do,” she added.
Mohamad Guntur Romli, a prominent liberal Muslim intellectual and a graduate of Egypt’s Al Azhar University, said on Thursday that the root cause of suspicion of homosexuals in Indonesia is ignorance.
“The lack of knowledge about rights and health issues related to homosexuality has created hatred within society,” Guntur said.
“Homosexuality is being equated with a mental disorder or the homosexual community is blamed for having spread HIV/AIDS, for instance. That’s not proper information about homosexuality and this has led to homophobia among wider society,” he explained.
Guntur said religious institutions and leaders have also played a role in the stigmatization of homosexuals.
“Religious institutions and leaders often find it difficult to be sympathetic toward homosexuality,” he continued.
He said that self-righteous religious leaders and institutions see homosexuals as sinners.
“Ignorance about homosexuality has created homophobia in society and religion is being used to spread hatred toward homosexual communities,” Guntur added.
Muhammad Syukri, an openly gay man from Yogyakarta, told the Globe on Friday that obvious signs of gayness sometimes lead to rejection.
“Being gay is not as hard as being transgender ... whenever I want to practice my religion, I do not get a hard time from another believer, because I do not dress up as a woman,” Syukri said.
But as soon as he would begin acting in what is seen as a feminine way, trouble often starts. “Some people make a fun of me and actually, that is a form of harassment,” Syukri said.
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Friday, May 27, 2011
Indonesian Rights Group Says Caning Unconstitutional
Jakarta Globe, May 27, 2011
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An Indonesian human rights group on Friday condemned the use of caning in staunchly Islamic Aceh province, saying the punishment violated the country's constitution.
The Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) urged the government to repeal a bylaw used by the partially autonomous province to carry out the punishment under Muslim sharia law.
Dozens of men have been publicly caned there for gambling this month.
Kontras said that caning should be barred by clauses in the country's constitution which grant citizens freedom from torture and from acts that detract from human dignity.
"The Indonesian government has to review the use of caning as punishment," deputy coordinator Indria Fernida said in a statement.
"A slow response by the government will indicate that they neglect this matter and adhere to a kind of punishment that violates the constitution and human rights principles," she said.
On Thursday, 19 people were being lashed in public after being caught gambling. Twenty--one people were also lashed earlier this month for gambling, while the punishment is also used for offenses including adultery.
Sixteen people were reportedly caned in Aceh last year, according to rights group Amnesty International, which said last week that the punishment violated the UN Convention against Torture.
"It seems that Aceh's authorities are increasingly resorting to public caning in violation of international law," Amnesty's Asia--Pacific director Sam Zarifi said.
Aceh, on the northern tip of Sumatra island, adopted partial sharia law in 2001 as part of an autonomy package aimed at quelling separatist sentiment.
Caning carried out there is mainly aimed at causing shame rather than injury.
AFP
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
RI, Egypt ask some NAM members to recognize Palestine
Antara News, Wed, May 25 2011
Nusa Dua (ANTARA News) - Indonesia and Egypt are doing their best to ask Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) members to recognize and support the existence of Palestine, Indonesia Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa said.
Marty said here Tuesday night that in his meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil Abdalla El-Araby on the sidelines of NAM`s 16th Ministerial Meeting here, both sides discussed efforts how to partner in advancing and supporting a concrete peace process in Palestine.
Marty said that Indonesia and Egypt agreed to share the tasks to encourage countries in their respective regions to recognize Palestine.
"We sorted out countries in the regions which have not yet recognized Palestine," Marty said after having a bilateral meeting with the Egyptian foreign minister.
He said that NAM so far consistently supported the existence of Palestine but there were still 29 members which had not yet recognized it based on various reasons.
The 16th ministerial meeting of NAM in Bali was a new momentum for the countries which had not yet recognized Palestine to recognize it.
"So far, Indonesia and Egypt have fostered close relations and the two foreign ministers have agreed to increase the ties to a higher level," Marty said.
Editor: Aditia Maruli
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Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Eight State Institutions Agree to Promote Pancasila
Jakarta Globe, Camelia Pasandaran & Arientha Primanita, May 24, 2011
The heads of eight state institutions met at the Constitutional Court on Tuesday to discuss how to strength the state ideology of Pancasila within Indonesia. (Antara Photo) |
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In response to rising radicalism in Indonesia, the heads of eight state institutions agreed to strengthen Pancasila within the country.
“All state institutions should commit to actively strengthening Pancasila as the nation’s ideology according to their specific roles, positions and authorities,” the head of the Constitutional Court, Mahfud MD said, reading a joint statement issued by the president, vice president, the Constitutional Court, People's Consultative Assembly, House of Representatives, Regional Legislative Council, Supreme Court, Supreme Audit Agency and Judicial Commission.
"We need a national action plan for certain institutions to socialize and strengthen Pancasila values formally through education," he said.
Mahfud said the people in Indonesia had put aside the state ideology of Pancasila.
“As a result, in the middle of the nation’s achievements, mainly on political democracy in the reformation era, some problems threatening the national pillars have surfaced,” Mahfud said.
“Conflict and social violence are easily triggered by ethnic differences, primordialism, and religious [differences].
“The tolerance that had been the original character of the nation is now fading caused as a result of thought penetration and individual pragmatic actions.”
To solve the problems threatening peace and stability in Indonesia, the leaders aimed to strengthen the teachings of Pancasila.
“The values of Pancasila should be revitalized as the guiding star as well as spirit that flow through every attitudes and activities of all nation’s elements in their respective position, status and profession.”
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Egypt-Indonesia democratisation explored
The Egyptian Gazette, by Mohamed Kassem, Monday, May 23, 2011
JAKARTA – Egypt occupies a special place in Indonesia’s history and many Indonesians have not forgotten how Egypt was one of the first countries to recognise its independence from a colonial power.
Against this backdrop and the recent democratic transition in Egypt, there is a widespread international awareness of the similarity between Indonesia’s experience with democratisation since 1998 and the rapidly moving events in Egypt today.
Egypt is entering a period of historic political transition and is facing remarkably similar challenges to those that Indonesia had to deal with during the period of reformasi in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Following a popular uprising against a previously entrenched authoritarian regime, Egypt today, like Indonesia a decade ago, is attempting to rebuild its institutions of state and foster a new democratic culture and open political competition.
Conditions in Egypt today resemble those of the immediate post-Suharto period in Indonesia, with the closest parallel perhaps in the months between the resignation of the Indonesian President in May 1998 and the convening of the Special Session of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) in November whereby the agenda of reform was agreed upon.
Like that time in Indonesia, events in Egypt are moving rapidly with the holding of the referendum on constitutional reform on March 19 in Egypt and elections next September.
In light of political developments in the two countries, it is appropriate to compare them in other more basic ways. Indonesia and Egypt are of similar size and potential global significance and are pivotal in their respective regions.
Both have a moderate Muslim majority but with significant non-Muslim minorities; have a largely secular political culture but with challenges from Islamist minorities; and have had militaries with a major role in politics and the economy.
Given the similarity between the processes of democratic transition in Indonesia and Egypt, a workshop, organised by the Institute for Peace and Democracy, opens Wednesday in Jakarta to initiate dialogue between selected Indonesians and Egyptians regarding lessons and observations about the Indonesian experience that may be of relevance to efforts to strengthen democracy in Egypt.
This is not to suggest that everything that occurred in Indonesia from 1998 should or could be copied by Egypt, but that the Egyptians can select what they might find helpful. Mistakes as well as successes could be taken as inspiration or salutary lessons.
The objective of the workshop is first to hold dialogue and provide an opportunity for the Egyptian participants to be exposed to examples from a comparable country, not to develop particular proposals or solutions, say organisers.
The initiative of the workshop came from the Institute of Peace and Democracy (IPD) as the implementing agency of the Bali Democracy Forum (BDF) as a track to initiative.
The focus of the discussions would fall under the broad theme of “Setting the Agenda”: in other words, identifying what are the key tasks that need to be tackled in the immediate period to advance and consolidate democracy in Egypt.
The current situation is very fluid and the nature of constitutional and political arrangements in the post-Mubarak era are not yet clear. The most pressing task would appear to be to define what has to be done, how and when it should be done and who should do it.
Current debate in Egypt about what should be done appears to focus on questions such as the role of an interim administration, constitutional reform and early elections, the how and who embraces issues such as the place of the military in both the transition period and in future politics, balancing the respective voices of various majority and minority religious and socio-economic groups in the process of change, as well as the role of political parties and civil society in a new national political compact.
The when questions, especially the timing and sequencing of constitutional reform and elections, will critically affect the quality of popular consultation and participation and thus the nature of outcomes.
Topics of discussion include the role of the military in transition and their place in future democratic society, constitutional and political reforms, politics and state in Islam as well as the role of the media in transitional and consolidating democracy.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Some 600 delegates attend NAM meeting in Bali
Antara News, Mon, May 23 2011
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Nusa Dua, Bali (ANTARA News) - Some 600 delegates are to attend the 16th Non-Aligned Ministerial (NAM) Meeting which is preceded by a Preparatory Senior Officials Meeting, in Nusa Dua, Bali Island, from May 23 to 27, 2011.
"Yes, the Preparatory Senior Officials Meeting is held behind closed doors to discuss the final document of the NAM Summit held in Sharm El Sheik, Egypt, and prepare a Declaration on Palestine," Sunu M. Soemarno, chairman of the NAM meeting`s organizing committee, said here Monday.
The senior officials meeting will be followed by a Commemorative Meeting expected to produce a Bali Commemorative Declaration (BCD) to mark the 50th anniversary of NAM.
The theme of the 16th NAM ministerial meeting and the Commemorative meeting is "Shared Vision on the Contribution of NAM for The next 50 years."
"The meeting will certainly also review the NAM progress since the Summit in Sharm El Sheik, Egypt, in July 2009," he said.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is scheduled to officially open the 16th NAM Ministerial Meeting in Nusa Dua, Wednesday (May 25).
"At present, almost 60 percent of the United Nations (UN) members are NAM members. Active participation of the NAM member countries are required to find global solutions to challenges such as the energy crisis, financial crisis, food security, climate change, pandemic, migration and disarmament," he said.
"Therefore, at its age of 50 years, NAM must determine its vision for the next 50 years, to actively participate in dealing with global challenges and at the same time find the solutions," he said.
The NAM meeting`s organizing committee has invited 118 member countries, Fiji and Azerbaijan as the new members, 18 observer countries (such as Argentine, Bosnia, Brazil, China, Serbia, Mexico and Ukraine), 10 observer organizations (among others the African Union, the United Nations, and the Organization of the Islamic Conference - OIC), 26 guest countries (such as the United States, Japan, and Russia), and 23 guest organizations (among others UNIDO, UNESCAP, and ICRC).
NAM was founded in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, in September 1961, to forge solidarity, boost confidence and unite visions of 25 developing countries joining the Belgrade meeting.
Editor: Aditia Maruli
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Sunday, May 22, 2011
Indonesian government must repeal caning bylaws in Aceh
The Jakarta Post, Sun, 05/22/2011
The Indonesian government must end the use of caning as a form of punishment and repeal the laws that allow it in Aceh province, Amnesty International said Sunday after at least 21 people were publicly caned since 12 May.
In Langsa city, 14 men were caned outside the Darul Falah mosque on 19 May, following the caning of seven men a week earlier.
All 21 were found to have violated an Aceh bylaw (qanun) prohibiting gambling and were given six lashes each as hundreds of people looked on.
“It seems that Aceh’s authorities are increasingly resorting to public caning in violation of international law,” said Sam Zarifi, Amnesty International’s Asia-Pacific Director.
“Victims of caning experience pain, fear and humiliation, and caning can cause long-term or permanent injuries. The Indonesian government must act to stop these punishments, which constitute cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment and often amount to torture.”
According to media reports, at least 16 men and women were also caned in Aceh in 2010.
In addition to the Aceh bylaws providing for caning, the Aceh Criminal Code (Qanun Hukum Jinayat) passed by the Aceh parliament in 2009 provides for stoning to death for adultery and caning of up to 100 lashes for homosexuality.
This code has not yet been implemented, in part because of intense criticism at local, national, and international levels.
Amnesty International called on the Indonesian central government to review all such bylaws and local regulations to ensure that they conform with international and Indonesian human rights law and standards.
“Indonesia’s decentralization process and regional autonomy were supposed to be about empowering local populations, and should not come at the expense of their human rights,” said Sam Zarifi.
Aceh’s provincial legislature passed a series of bylaws governing the implementation of Shari’a law after the enactment of the province’s Special Autonomy Law in 2001. Caning was introduced as a punishment carried out by Islamic courts for offences also including adultery, consumption of alcohol, unmarried adult couples who are alone in isolation (khalwat) and for any Muslim found eating, drinking or selling food during sunlight hours in the fasting month of Ramadan.
Caning punishments violate the UN Convention against Torture, which Indonesia ratified in 1998. The Committee against Torture has also raised concerns that people detained under Aceh’s bylaws are not afforded their basic legal rights, including the right to legal counsel, and are apparently presumed to be guilty.
A Sharia law official whips a man convicted of unlawful contact between
unmarried man and woman with a rattan stick during a public caning in Jantho,
Aceh province, Indonesia, Friday, April 8, 2011. A version of Islamic law was
introduced in the province in 2001 as part of negotiations to end the 29-year war
between separatist rebels and the military. The law bans gambling, drinking
alcohol and makes it compulsory for women to wear headscarves. (AP Photo/Heri Juanda)
unmarried man and woman with a rattan stick during a public caning in Jantho,
Aceh province, Indonesia, Friday, April 8, 2011. A version of Islamic law was
introduced in the province in 2001 as part of negotiations to end the 29-year war
between separatist rebels and the military. The law bans gambling, drinking
alcohol and makes it compulsory for women to wear headscarves. (AP Photo/Heri Juanda)
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Govt open to inputs from religious leaders
Antara News, Sun, May 22 2011
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said that the government was open to inputs from any party, including religious leaders, in an effort to jointly resolve the problems faced by the nation.
"It would be a great happiness if all could become part of the solution," the president said in his address during the observance of the Buddhist Waisyak Day of Enlightenment here on Saturday evening.
President Yudhoyono hoped that all parties would contribute to the solution, not just criticizing, blaming and showing egoistic attitude.
He specifically called on religious leaders to give priority to wisdom, respectability and nobleness in the face of the nation`s problem.
"I hope that religious leaders would play the main role in providing examples and enlightenment to the people," he said.
He said that it would be very wise if religious leaders could show optimistic attitude and issue reassuring statements over all issues faced by the people.
He said that with the passage of time, the problem faced by the nation was not becoming easier and easier.
The president also said that the observance of the Waisyak Day was special this year because it was held not far from the 103th National Awakening Day when the people marked their awareness on the need to rise as a nation.
On the occasion, chief organizer Hartati Murdaya expressed in her address appreciation to the government who had recognized the legitimacy of all religions, including the Buddhist religion in Indonesia.
She said that the objective of the observance of the Waisyak Day was to remind all followers of the life of the Buddhist and to build interfaith harmony, between the Buddhist followers and other religious adherents and between the Buddhist and the government.
The president was accompanied by Mrs Ani Yudhoyono, Vice President Boediono and Mrs Herawati Boediono.
Also present were People`s Consultative Assembly (MPR)Speaker Taufik Kiemas, Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo, Religious Minister Suryadharma Ali,Chief People`s Welfare Minister Agung Laksono, State Enterprise Minister Mustafa Abubakar, Culture and Tourism Minister Jero Wacik, Minister/State Secretary Sudi Silalahi and Cabinet Secretary Dipo Alam.
Editor: Suryanto
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Saturday, May 21, 2011
Batam designated as ASEAN batik trade center
Antara News, Sat, May 21 2011
Batam (ANTARA News) - The Trade Ministry has designated Batam city in Riau Islands province as an ASEAN Batik Trade Center, a local trade official said.
"The Trade Ministry approved the designation of Batam city as an ASEAN Batik Trade Center yesterday," spokesperson of Batam`s Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), Nada Faza Soraya, said here on Saturday.
She said the selection of Batam as an Asean Batik Trade Center was agreed on during an ASEAN summit in Jakarta early this month.
According to her, it was the Kadin Indonesia Foundation and Indonesian Batik Foundation that had asked the Trade Ministry to name Batam as a batik trade center in the ASEAN region.
Nada said t due to its strategic location and sea border with several Asean countries, the city was desfined as the Asean batik trade center.
In late 2009, the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) officially recognized batik as an Indonesian cultural heritage.
Batik was considered not only as part of Indonesian cultural heritage but also recognized as a representation of humanity`s culture for its rich value and cultural inheritance.
With the determination of Batam as batik trade center in Asean, she said Indonesian batik industry was expected to be more prospective.
Therefore, Nada added that Kadin along with several other batik foundations would conduct batik education and its familiarization.
According to her, batik-related education was necessary for Indonesian community to know more about Indonesian cultural riches which have been recognized internationally.
"The Indonesian community need to know various kinds batik motif after it has been internationally recognized," Nada said, adding that every detail of batik had the value of a decent life that has to be maintained.
According to her the color and motif of batik also reflects the regions in Indonesia because every region has its own typical motif.
"Batik is found all over Indonesia and every area in the country has its own motif of batik," she said.
Editor: Jafar M Sidik
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