Jakarta (AsiaNews) - Greater political commitment to promoting human rights in cities, districts and across the country, adopting systems that meet citizens needs and safeguard their dignity. It is the centerpiece of the national conference of the movement Human Rights Cities, held today in Jakarta with the participation of Ministers of the Interior and Human Rights in Indonesia and several activist groups that operate in the archipelago.
Yasonna Laoly, Minister of Human Rights, announced that the directives decided during the conference will be taken in 490 districts in Indonesia.
The meeting was also attended by INFID, National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) and Elsam. Elsam director Indriaswati Dyah Saptaningrum, in his speech explained that Human Rights Cities must first be considered as a political movement, rather than a "generic concept": "Everything is played out in political commitment of all stakeholders in the towns and districts that want to act in favor of human rights or not”.
Sugeng Bahagio, INFID director, added that Human Rights Cities is not just a political label, but is the "heart" of the change of the city, for more and better living conditions.
The chairman of Komnas Ham drew attention to the urgent need to take political measures in favor of human rights, noting that, according to a study based on data of 2013, 542 cases of violation of rights are attributable to local governments. The most frequent is the expropriation of land, environmental damage, failure of public services and other social problems.
During the conference instances where the increase of human rights has benefited the community were also listed. Fahmi Hidayat, the city of Wonosobo, explained that her country has never registered social conflicts in the last decade: "This happened because the head of the district of Wonosobo applied an approach based on respect for human rights".