Kemenkumham: Many People Still Do Not Understand The Essence Of Human Rights

The mural depicts human rights activists Munir, Wiji Thukul, Tan Malaka and Marsinah's labor activists in Bogor City as criticism of the completion of cases of heavy human rights violations. (ANTARA-Arif F)

JAKARTA - The Director General of Human Rights at the Ministry of Law and Human Rights (Kemenkumham) Mualimin Abdi said that many people still do not understand the essence of human rights.

"Often in reporting, especially in the regions, human rights are used as an accessory. Those are human rights, they are human rights but they don't know the essence of human rights themselves," said Director General of Human Rights at the Ministry of Law and Human Rights Mualimin Abdi in Jakarta, Tuesday, February 7, reported by Antara.

This was conveyed by Mualimin in a dialogue with the theme "Human Rights and Freedom of the Press" as well as in commemoration of the 2023 National Press Day (HPN) which was held in Medan City, North Sumatra (North Sumatra).

Mualimin said that many parties voiced human rights issues but did not understand the essence, including about who the parties are responsible for human rights.

For example, he continued, many people only know about human rights, such as the 12 incidents of past gross human rights violations conveyed by President Jokowi some time ago.

"People know that, even though there are other tasks for the government or the state regarding human rights," he said.

He said, when talking about human rights it will lead to or lead to freedom, independence, equality, rights, and so on.

Then, he explained, if it is related to the press, the mass media has a strategic position in democracy. However, compared to the past and present, there have been significant changes in the country's press climate.

Mualimin stated that one form of freedom of expression, assembly, association, and expression of opinion as stipulated in Article 28 E should be properly implemented.

He explained that referring to the Indonesian constitution, human rights are divided into two things, which can be limited and cannot be limited.

"Therefore, the constitution clearly regulates the implementation of human rights which cannot be limited. There are seven points, including freedom of religion, expression, thought, and so on," he explained.