Amnesty International Slams Minister Yusril’s Human Rights Day Speech as Empty Rhetoric

JAKARTA, RAKYAT NEWS – In response to statements made by Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Prisons, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, Amnesty International Indonesia criticized the government’s rhetoric on human rights as empty and ineffective.

Usman Hamid, the Executive Director of Amnesty International Indonesia, argued that the government’s commitment to human rights, as stated by Minister Yusril, fails to match the reality on the ground.

He pointed out that while significant legal frameworks have been established since the Reform era to uphold human rights, the government’s actions often fall short of expectations. According to him, the government’s failure to address ongoing human rights violations, particularly those involving state security forces, has allowed a culture of impunity to persist.

“Minister Yusril’s speech on Human Rights Day is nothing more than empty rhetoric, easily contradicted by the facts if the government were to truly examine the situation,” Hamid said.

He emphasized that while laws may exist on paper, enforcement and accountability have often been neglected, leaving victims of human rights violations without justice.

The Amnesty director specifically highlighted the government’s failure to resolve longstanding cases of human rights violations, including abuses committed during past regimes. These unresolved cases continue to haunt the nation and undermine the credibility of the government’s commitment to justice.

Usman also criticized Minister Yusril’s assertion that every citizen enjoys equal human rights regardless of their background. He noted that this statement came just days after the Kuningan district government in West Java banned the Ahmadiyya Muslim community from holding a meeting from December 6-8, 2024.

The ban, Hamid argued, was a blatant violation of religious freedom and highlighted the gap between government rhetoric and actual practices.

The timing of the ban was particularly ironic, coming just two days after President Prabowo Subianto called for unity and respect for diversity during his speech promoting national harmony. According to Hamid, this disconnect between the government’s public statements and its actions signals a lack of genuine commitment to upholding human rights.

“Such contradictions must be addressed,” Hamid stressed. “The government cannot continue to promote diversity and harmony on one hand, while allowing discriminatory practices on the other.” He called on the government to take serious steps to ensure that human rights are protected and that all citizens can exercise their rights without fear of persecution or discrimination.

In his speech, Minister Yusril emphasized that every Indonesian citizen has equal rights before the law and is entitled to enjoy basic economic, social, and cultural rights. However, Hamid argued that the government has been negligent in addressing civil and political rights, especially as security forces increasingly target peaceful protests and dissent.

Usman pointed to the widespread criminalization and repression of peaceful activists, particularly those opposing national projects or speaking out against government policies. He expressed concern that these actions are increasingly stifling civic space in Indonesia, making it more difficult for citizens to voice their opinions and engage in democratic processes.

The Amnesty International Executive Director concluded by urging the government to take concrete actions to address human rights violations and ensure that all citizens can enjoy their rights without fear. He called for a fair and transparent legal process to resolve past human rights violations, emphasizing that true progress can only be made when the government is held accountable for its actions.(Uki Ruknuddin)