Minister of Human Rights Pigai: The ban on Nobar Film must be through a court decision

Minister of Human Rights Natalius Pigai/ANTARA FOTO/Fauzan/bar

JAKARTA - Human Rights Minister (HAM) Natalius Pigai emphasized that the prohibition of screening or watching a movie together (nobar) cannot be done unilaterally without a legal basis and court decision.

According to Pigai, restrictions on film works can only be carried out through legal mechanisms regulated in legislation.

Therefore, parties who do not have legal authority are not allowed to prohibit the screening of films in public spaces.

"The film can only be banned according to the court's decision, according to the law," said Pigai as quoted by ANTARA, Monday, May 11.

Pigai's statement was made amid controversy over the ban on watching the "Pesta Babi" documentary film in a number of domestic areas and campus environments.

In some cases, the film screening activities were said to be canceled after pressure or requests for a stop from certain groups.

He emphasized that the prohibition cannot be carried out by groups or individuals who do not have authority based on law.

"If a person who is not given the authority is ordered by law, then he should not take that action," he said.

Pigai said that a ban on a film must have a clear legal basis, in the form of a legal provision or a court ruling with legal force.

"The ban can only be through a court decision. Is there a court decision? No. That means it can't be (like that)," he said.

According to him, film works are part of the expression of the creative power of the community which must be respected as part of freedom of expression in a democratic state.

"Therefore, this kind of nobar, the power, the will, and the creation of the work of the Indonesian people, must be respected and presented to the public," said Pigai.

He assessed that those who felt aggrieved or disagreed with the content of a film should seek clarification mechanisms and present counter-views, not ban them.

"Even if there is someone in the film who feels like they are the accused party, yes, clarification, because there are means to clarify, or you can make a new film," he said.