The Archdiocese Of Medan Calls For Congregations To Choose Presidential Candidates That Clean Human Rights Violations

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JAKARTA - The Archdiocese of Medan calls for the election of leaders in the 2024 presidential election who do not tolerate human rights violations (HAM).

This was conveyed by the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Medan, Mgrbak Sipayung OFMCap through the Shepherd's Letter of the Archbishop of Medan to the Democratic Party, February 14, 2024, Thursday, January 25.

"Leaders who do not provide space to human rights violators and do not tolerate the Separatism Movement and the nation's dividers in any name, including in the name of religion," said Kriminal.

The letter contains a number of criteria that are expected to be a guide for the congregation in choosing a presidential candidate (candidate) in the 2024 presidential election.

The complete criteria are as follows:1. Leaders who continue to uphold the Four National Pillars (Pancasila, UUD 1945, Bhinneka Tunggal Ika and NKRI) as the main footing in carrying out their leadership wheels. 2. Leaders with integrity. Leaders who are consistent in words and actions so as to gain high trust from the people. Fair and honest leaders and have a commitment to carry out their political promises. 3. True leaders prioritize the interests of the general community, not the interests of the party, let alone the interests of the parties, let alone the interests of the people, let alone the interests of the people (blusukan). 6. Leaders who embrace all elements of the nation and involve religious leaders in realizing harmony in the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia. 7. Leaders who do not provide space for violators of human rights and do not tolerate the movement of separatism and the division of the nation in any name of religion. 8. ecological-minded leaders (Light of Life). A leader who truly pays attention to the environment.

According to my parents, his people must be involved in politics because it is a form of call for love for the homeland and the nation.

"In Gaudium et Specs, it is emphasized 'It is appropriate for citizens to have the greatness of their souls and loyalty to cultivate love for their homeland, but without the view of intimacy, so that at the same time they continue to pay attention to the welfare of all human families, who are gathered through various bonds between tribes, between nations and between countries' (GS 75)," he said.

He advised his congregation to choose the 2024 election contestants based on conscience by observing the above criteria. He also invited the congregation to reject money politics in any form.

"Rejecting with firm political money (Money Politics)", he said.