University
of Indonesia rector Gumilar Rusliwa Somantri apologized to the public for any
inconveniences caused by the university’s honorary doctorate degree awarded to
King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia. The university’s gesture sparked widespread
protests across Indonesia.
“We
apologize if this was regarded as improper and offensive to many parties,”
Gumilar said on Friday as quoted by tempointeraktif.com.
Gumilar
admitted that he was aware that the timing of the award was not appropriate.
“I am fully
aware that the timing for the award was not right. We did it not long after the
beheading of Ruyati,” said Gumilar, referring to Indonesian maid Ruyati binti
Satubi, who was convicted two months ago of murdering her employer — a crime
she allegedly committed in response to being subjected to repeated acts of
torture.
Several NGOs
said the Saudi king did not deserve such an award because the country “never
appreciated the principles of human rights, especially for migrant workers.”
International
human rights organizations have for years criticized Saudi Arabia for its
treatment of migrant workers. A 2011 Human Rights Watch report notes that
domestic workers from Indonesia “frequently endure forced confinement, food
deprivation and severe psychological, physical and sexual abuse”.
There are
an estimated 1.5 million Indonesian maids currently in the kingdom, with 23 on
death row.
Gumilar,
however, did not say what actions his management would take next amid mounting
pressure from many organizations affiliated with the university, including
professors, student associations and alumni who have demanded that the rector
tender his resignation.
“We
understand the [protest as a] mere difference of opinion. And, in the realm of
democracy, as in the campus world, such difference is an asset and is simply
normal,” he said.
He said
that the university management had studied the selection process for more than
three years before deciding to award the degree to the King Abdullah.
“It [the
award] has taken long process. But we had not yet presented it due to the
king’s health concerns,” he said.
According
to Gumilar, the date as well as the venue for the award presentation was
decided upon by the king himself.
The award
ceremony, which took place last week, drew public fury, partially because it
was conducted at the King’s Al-Safa Palace, which was not consistent with the
traditional practice of honorary degrees being presented by the awarding
university within their own country.
Related Article:
No comments:
Post a Comment