The Jakarta Post, May 28, 2004
Crackdown on NGOs arbitrary: Activists
Muninggar Sri Saraswati, Jakarta
Rights activists warned on Thursday against cracking down on non-governmental
organizations (NGOs) that were critical of government policies, as the move would
tarnish the country's fragile democracy.
"The move against activists is baseless. We're living in a reform era; if the government
considers their reports threatening, it should discuss the issues with the activists,"
Todung Mulya Lubis told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.
Todung, a noted rights activist and lawyer, said suggestions that the NGOs' reports
would threaten national security during the July 5 presidential election were naive.
"No country, including Indonesia, is able to hide information in the world today, when
communication technology has developed very rapidly," he said, adding that any
crackdown against activists would have international repercussions.
"There will be backlash from the international community, if the government takes firm
action against activists," he said.
Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar said on Wednesday that authorities were closely
monitoring activists of 20 local and foreign NGOs for issuing reports detrimental to
national security.
Da'i did not divulge the names of the NGOs, but National Intelligence Agency (BIN)
director Gen. (ret) Hendropriyono told the House of Representatives on Wednesday
that the Brussels-based International Crisis Group (ICG) and the Institute for Policy
Research and Advocacy (Elsam) were on the watch list.
ICG Indonesia director Sidney Jones said on Wednesday that authorities had refused
to extend the work permits of the ICG's foreign staff, forcing the group to stop
operating in the country and virtually telling them to leave.
"The ICG is a reputable NGO founded by former world leaders. Expelling its director
from the country would confirm public fears that the New Order regime is coming
back," Todung said.
Arrests of activists and individuals critical of the government were common during the
32 years of the Soeharto administration, also known as the New Order.
Elsam chairman Ifdhal Kasim said on Thursday he had no idea why the NGO was
included on the watch list, as no government or security officials had ever complained
about its activities.
"We have never received complaints from anyone, including law enforcers. Our reports
are mostly about government policies on human rights and legal reforms.
"Our criticisms are based on scientific analysis, because they are intended for
policymakers, not for the general public. We have never violated any laws...," Ifdhal
told the Post.
He said plans to crackdown on activists was intimidation against civil society, which
was a common practice during Soeharto's leadership.
"This kind of intimidation is the old method applied by the New Order against its
opponents. It is unfortunate the culture is still alive in the so-called democratic era,"
he said.
The ICG has released a number of reports on a variety of issues, including the war in
Aceh, religious conflict in Ambon and Poso, Central Sulawesi, activities of regional
terrorist network Jamaah Islamiyah (JI) in Indonesia and security reform.
Elsam has published reports on the East Timor and 1984 Tanjung Priok massacre
human rights tribunals, legal reform and recommendations on the establishment of a
truth and reconciliation commission.
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