REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Human rights NGO, the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras), has said the Jakarta Governor's recent regulation is a serious violation of the freedom of expression and free speech rights.
"The governor's regulation demonstrates that Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama does not understand his role as the governor of the country's capital city," Kontras Coordinator, Haris Azhar said on Thursday.
In a letter written to the governor, the NGO strongly rejected the implementation of the regulation saying it has harmed the rights of the citizens for expressing their views and conveying their opinions in the public, which have so far been guaranteed by the Constitution.
The regulation showed that the government has become opposed to criticism.
The regulation limits holding demonstrations only to three places, and has openly invited the military from becoming involved in preventing rallies to be held in places, other than the three mentioned above.
The regulation is not in accordance with the Constitution of 1945, or the Law No. 9/1998, or the International Convention for Civilian and Political rights.
Therefore, Kontras has demanded the revocation of the governor's regulation for the sake of democracy and human rights protection in Indonesia.
If Ahok refuses to revoke the regulation, Kontras and other NGOs will file a judicial review in the Supreme Court to cancel the governor regulation.
Recently, Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama alias Ahok had told reporters at the City Hall that he has issued a Gubernatorial Regulation, because he wants protesters to behave in a more orderly fashion.
The regulation stipulates that protesters will be allowed to stage protests at just three venues: Senayan's Eastern Parking Area in the Bung Karno Sports Complex in Senayan, the Alun Alun Demokrasi (democracy plaza) located at the House of Representatives (DPR) complex and at the Southern Cross located at the National Monument (Monas) park, in Central Jakarta.
It also states that protests should be conducted only between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. and that the noise level of the sound system should not exceed 60 decibels.
Ikuti Whatsapp Channel Republika