Asian civil society organizations concerned over scrapping of Indonesia’s direct local elections and suppression of freedom of assembly during Bali Democracy Forum
Statement in Conjunction with the 2014 Bali Civil Society Forum and Bali Democracy Forum
Bali, Indonesia / 9 October 2014
The Asian Democracy Network (ADN) expresses our deep concern in solidarity with 11 Indonesian civil society organisations (CSOs) that the controversial passage of the Regional Elections Law by the National Assembly on 26 September 2014 is a serious setback for democracy in Indonesia and affects negatively the Indonesian reputation as a champion of democracy in Asia recent years.
People in Indonesia cannot exercise their democratic right to elect their own local district heads, mayors and governors, if this law is implemented, as local legislative councils will appoint them directly. It is not acceptable as it is against the fundamental human rights principle of non-retrogression.
Many Indonesian CSOs in order to express their anger and opposition clearly, have decided not to participate in the first Bali Civil Society Forum (BCSF) taking place on 8-9 Oct. in Bali, prior to the 7th inter-governmental Bali Democracy Forum (BDF) on 10-11 Oct. 2014.
The ADN further deplores the suppression of the right to freedom of assembly as stated by the Bali Deputy Police Chief Gen. IGN Raharja Subyakta on 7 October 2014, banning all rallies during the BDF. We consider the freedom of assembly to be one of the cornerstones of democratic society, which is necessary to enable people to participate in any democratic processes in a free, active and meaningful manner. Such a ban should be withdrawn immediately.
The ADN, a civil society-led platform of democracy advocates and human rights defenders dedicated to the strengthening of democracy and human rights in Asia, attaches great importance to dialogue and civic engagement with the governments and other stake-holders for the promotion of democracy and strengthening of democratic governance in the Asia and Pacific region.
Therefore, we value the BDF as a unique space for dialogue on democracy among political leaders and governments in the region, and such an important initiative need to further strengthened in the future by making it more inclusive and participatory.
In this regard, we would like to call on the new government of the 7th President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo to create more spaces and institutional mechanisms, building on the BDF experiences for the last 7 years, for dialogue as well as action with substantive programs in partnership with civil society for advancing democracy in the region.
We will spare no effort to work with the new President to realize such a vision.
In solidarity,
Contact Persons
- Mr Sugeng BAHAGIJO sbahagijo@infid.org / +62-21-7819734
Executive Director of INFID & Steering Committee member of the ADN
- Mr Anselmo LEE, alee7080@gmail.com Co-convener of the ADN
News Reports by Jakarta Post
http://www.thejakartapost.com/
Public unites against Regional Elections Law
Haeril Halim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | National | Mon, September 29 2014, 10:25 AM
Anger turned into activism as hundreds of concerned citizens took to the streets on Sunday to stage peaceful protests throughout the country to mobilize support to challenge the newly passed amendment to the Regional Elections Law at the Constitutional Court.
In Jakarta, the protesters, who called themselves “Direct Elections Defenders”, staged a protest at the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle, which was also aimed at obtaining copies of identity cards from at least 1,000 people, the minimum requirement to be able to file a judicial review.
“We’re happy to see that the public agrees with us that the bill kills their right to vote for their local leaders. Now we’re ready to challenge the law at the Constitutional Court,” Association for Elections and Democracy (Perludem) executive director Titi Anggraini said during the Sunday protest.
Early on Friday, the House of Representatives passed an amendment to the law by a vote of 226 to 135 to reinstate the mechanism that had been used during former president Soeharto’s New Order era.
The new law was passed after the majority of Democratic Party lawmakers walked out of the plenary session, effectively handing victory to the Red-and-White Coalition that backed the proposal.
“We’re currently preparing all necessary documents to file a judicial review and we hope that next week we will have submitted our petition to the court. We’re deeply disappointed by the Democratic Party’s decision to walk out of the plenary session on Friday,” Titi said.
She said members of the public should get over their anger at the scrapping of direct elections and should now start organizing themselves to challenge the new law.
“There’s no need to condemn the bill now as it’s been passed by the House. What we need to do now is focus on the next legal battle and challenging the law at the court,” Titi added.
The move to challenge the law at the court has garnered support from Indonesians living and studying abroad.
The UK branch of the Indonesian Students Association (PPI) said in a statement that the law was a setback for Indonesian democracy, adding that it would shut the door on potential regional leaders becoming national leaders, like president-elect Joko “Jokowi” Widodo.
“In indirect systems, regional leaders will become the political ‘hostages’ of politicians in local councils,” PPI UK head Faldo Maldini said.
Meanwhile, in Washington DC on Saturday, scores of Indonesian citizens took to the street in front of the Willar InterContinental Hotel, where President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was staying during his visit to attend the 69th Session of the UN General Assembly.
The protesters brought with them banners condemning Yudhoyono.
Some of the banners read “RIP Indonesia Democracy”, “Shame on SBY and his Non-Democrats”, and “Mr. President betrays the public trust”,
Responding to the public outcry, Yudhoyono, in his capacity as Democratic Party chairman, has ordered an inquiry into who instructed all Democratic Party lawmakers to walkout of the House plenary meeting
Yudhoyono said he was disappointed with how things had turned out during the plenary session.
“I’m disappointed with the results of the political process at the House although I, as a democrat, respect the process. Again, I am disappointed with the results and the process,” he said.
http://www.thejakartapost.com/
Protests banned during Bali Democracy Forum
To ensure the success of the seventh Bali Democracy Forum, police announced on Monday that they would not tolerate demonstrations or protests of any kind during the two-day event.
Bali Deputy Police chief Brig. Gen. IGN Raharja Subyakta said that for the duration of the forum, all rallies would be banned in the Nusa Dua area, where the international forum will be held.
The one-star general added that protests would also be prohibited at Ngurah Rai International Airport.
“To ensure the event runs smoothly, Nusa Dua will be cleared of protesters, as will the airport. All rallies will be banned,” Raharja said, adding that action would be taken if protests took place without the issuance of proper permits.
According to Law No. 9/1998 on freedom of expression in public, issued shortly after the fall of president Soeharto in May 1998, organizers of street protests are only required to inform the public in writing regarding the details of a planned protest.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono initiated the forum in 2008 with a stated goal of “fostering dialogue-based regional and international cooperation in the field of peace and democracy through the sharing of experiences and best-practices that adhere to the principles of equality, mutual respect and understanding”.
The President is scheduled to open the meeting on Friday, just 10 days before he is replaced as president by Joko “Jokowi” Widodo.
As many as 4,600 military and police personnel will be deployed to safeguard the international event.
Security task force commander for the Bali Democracy Forum, Brig. Gen. Ruslian Hariadi told reporters on Monday that five warships, four F-16 fighter jets and four Sukhoi fighter jets would also be deployed for security purposes. The five warships are KRI Surabaya, KRI Ahmad Yani, KRI Weling, KRI Pulau Rimau and KRI Singa.
“We are preparing the possible arising of security threats during the event,” Ruslian said during a joint rehearsal conducted by the military and police at Puputan Margarana field in Renon, Denpasar.
Meanwhile, Foreign Ministry spokesman Michael Tene said on Monday that three government heads, namely The Philippines President Benigno Aquino III, Timor Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, and the Sultan of Brunei Darussalam Hassanal Bolkiah, had confirmed they would attend the event.
The three are the only state leaders invited by Indonesia to attend the forum.
“The Bali Democracy Forum is essentially a ministerial-level event. An exception was in 2012 when the forum was conducted like a summit and was attended by many heads of states to celebrate the forum’s fifth anniversary,” Michael told The Jakarta Post.
Delegations from 51 participant countries as well as 68 international observers are expected to attend the annual event. Most, according to Michael, have already confirmed their attendance.
