Notes: “Human Rights, Research and Development: Indonesia and US Perspective” is a commencement address at the Doctor Hc on Human Rights
Hartford, May 30th 2008
Honorable Prof Heidi Hadsell, President of Hartford Seminary,
Members of the Board of Professors of the Hartford Seminary
Prof Robert Evans, Executive Director of Plowshares Institute,
Academia and graduates
Ladies and Gentlemen,
At the outset, I would like to express my warmest gratitude to Prof Heidi Hadsell, the President of Hartford Seminary for her invitation extended to me to share my perspectives on interfaith dialogues, human rights, research and development issues at this Graduation Day. It is indeed a privilege to be here at the historic Campus of the Hartford Seminary as one the largest center for Social and Religious Research not only in US but in the world as well. Under the leadership of Prof Heidi, this institute has an amazing record of rigorous policy-relevant research, human rights, tolerance and peace. This record has earned the Institute an international reputation as an important bridge between the scholarly community and the practice of faith. This record will be an important lesson learned and inspiration to Indonesia in its path to embark to a strong tradition of democracy by promoting peace and tolerance which has been made since a decade ago. I know that many Indonesians have studied here, and many of them have returned home to become pioneers and leaders in the Indonesian society. So thank you US, thank you Hartford Seminary !
I would also like to appreciate Prof Robert Evans, Executive Director of Plowshares Institute and Alice Evans for their intensive missions to Indonesia, during the last 10 years to promote much closer cooperation between Indonesia and US in the areas of human rights, interfaith dialogues and conflict transformation. Bob and Alice Evans’s had played important roles to address post conflict in Aceh for sustaining peace momentum after peace accord and tsunami. Similarly their advisory roles to mediate the two nations, Indonesia and Timor Leste to reconcile through a commission of truth and friendship will be noted in our contemporary national history.
I wish also to congratulate all graduates for their academic achievements at this university and may God bless all of us. The graduation day as we have today marks a new momentum, a new beginning to exercise graduate’s moral and academic responsibilities to promote peace on the principles of academic freedom, engagement to the pursuit of truth, defense and promotion of human rights, democracy, social justice and tolerance in our respective communities and throughout the world, and participate in instruction for genuine participatory citizenship and in building a culture of peace.[1]
Allow me to share with you about Indonesia as many of you have been very familiar with. Indonesia is the fourth largest population in the world, after China, India and US. Indonesia is also first largest Muslim country in the world and the most diversified as well in terms of local languages, ethnicities, customs and traditions. It has about 18000 islands, and about 6000 of them are yet occupied. The size is one and half much larger than European continent. During Soeharto era, the country was ruled by authoritarian and militaristic system for 32 years. The plurality was simply converted into a uniformity and centralistic approach. All decisions were under control of central authorities. There was economic stability with average economic growth over 7%. There was a large investment on education making the emergence of large middle class and educated citizens. There was a political stability. However, due to corruption and nepotism which created a large economic discrepancy, Soeharto era had been pushed to an end. Democratic era then was to begin.
After precisely a decade of Indonesia to embark on a new path of democracy and human rights, our people are now questioning the benefit of democracy to our wellbeing and the improvement of quality of their life. Many of them posed different views and perspectives to this historic choice. Social tensions, unemployment, poverty and insecurity which took place in some parts of the country, created social frustration which triggered them to dream to return to Soeharto era. They also learned from other neighboring countries such as Singapore with no freedom of expression and media, no human rights institutions, but this country is greatly developed. Similarly, Vietnam which was almost collapsed due to decades of war, but now it appears to be one of the economic tigers in the region because of its resistance to democracy.
The process of democratization appears to be a long and risky journey. Some say that it looks like water fall, it will find its normal equilibrium, with large risks of failure at the beginning but gradually progress to normal condition. Others, picture it as a path characterized by vicious and, occasionally when lucky, win good circles. Others picture it as a journey along a road full of intersections requiring correct decisions. History is not compassionate. History of human civilization told us that only a nation with vision, conviction, perseverance and intelligence will complete its journey safely. Others do not move from their initial position, become failed states or disappear from the map of humankind history. Darwin’s law on survival of the fittest also applies among nations.
Without going further to dichotomize pro and cons to our monumental choice at the last decade of the twentieth century, let me identify some critical points on our long journey and what we need to prepare in order to survive at this turbulence time, and crystallize to what areas would be our common denominators to pursue our much closer cooperation, the cooperation between Hartford Seminary, Plowshares Institute and Ministry of Law and Human Rights, the cooperation between the two different nations, Indonesia and US. Prior to that elaboration, allow me to take a small lesson learned from the life of ants as model to address the new emerging world of polarizations.
President Heidi Hadsell, ladies and gentleman
World Polarization
For modeling purpose which is common in social sciences, let me take an illustration of our polarized world at the moment which creates various disequilibrium and metamorphoses of our global interaction. Ilya Prigogine, a Nobel Prize Winner on Chemistry wrote in his article The Die is not Cast (2000) illustrated the life of ants. Around 12000 species of ants are known today. Their colonies range from between several hundred to many millions of individuals. It is interesting to note that the behavior of ants depends on the size of the colony, the ant will behave as an individualist, looking for food and then bringing this back to the nest. When the colony is large, however, situation change, and coordination of the activities become essential. Collective structure then appear spontaneously as a result of auto-catalytic reactions between ants bringing about chemically mediated exchange of information. It is no coincidence that in large ants or termite colonies individual insect become blind, then bitten by other. Population growth shifts initiative from the individual to the collective[2].
Analogy to this phenomenon, the life of the whole population in the world, of about 6.7 billion people at the moment, is very similar polarizations to the life of ants. Ants has the first, the second, and the third polarizations. Similarly to humankinds, they have the first, the second and the third world as well. The term First World originally refers to the capitalist, industrialized countries, within the Western European, Nordic Countries and United States. Whoever uses the term today in a variety of meanings, mostly tries to describe the top end of the evolution of countries. Nations with the most advanced economy, highest standard of living, the most advanced technology, the greatest influence in the world and less populated as compared to other parts of the globe. The relation between and among individuals like ants is relatively free, is guided by the principles of civil and political rights, such as the right to liberty, the right to privacy, the right to freedom of religion, expression, and peaceful assembly, etc.
However, this is not the case for the Second World. This term refers to the former communist-socialist, former Soviet Union, today Russia, Eastern bloc, China, and Cuba. Their population is very big as compared to the first one. China itself has 1.3 billion people at the moment, the first world largest population. Like ants, individual freedom is not the priority at this block. Their priority is on collective rights, such as economic, social and cultural rights related to the conditions necessary to meet basic human needs such as food, shelter, education, health care, and employment. Tiananmen tragedy might remind us on how individual rights and freedom of expression were treated at this block of the world.
While, the term Third World was originally coined in times of the Cold War to distinguish those nations that are neither aligned with the West nor with the East. In 1955, Indonesia hosted Asian African Conference which marked a new polarization the world. The conference was convened in a political environment where the Cold War was at the midst between two superpowers, the US and the Soviet Union. Asian African countries decided not to get caught in the middle of polarization between the two superpowers. They determined to create new forces, maintaining their non-alignment and independence. This determination was clearly reflected in the final communiqué of the Asian-African Conference, which was known as Dasasila Bandung or Ten Principles of Bandung.[3] This Spirit of Bandung was the pinnacle of the awakening of political awareness among the Asian-African leaders who indomitably positioned themselves as non-aligned force or the third world which took no side to the first world categorized as the capitalist world, and the second world, known as the forces of the socialist world. In our perspective, we integrated all relevant norms and values to our socio, economic, cultural and political spheres. We accommodate those values in our five basic principle, Pancasila Principles.[4]
Despite the disintegration of Soviet Union and the fall of Berlin Wall, the life of small ants still relevant for a great lesson learned for human family to promote interfaith dialogues and dialogue between and among civilizations. This is the role of higher education to respond it. Hartford Seminary with its mission has already in the first frontier on interfaith dialogues to mainstream all the three polarizations into one single integrity that is “human dignity”. Hartford Seminary serves God: (1) by preparing leaders, students, scholars and religious institutions to understand and live faithfully in today’s multi-faith and pluralistic world, (2) by teaching, research, informing the public and engaging persons in dialogue, and; (3) by affirming the particularities of faith and social context while openly exploring differences and commonalities.
Shortly after 9/11 tragedy, the world polarization has dramatically changed. Most countries in the world competed to allocate significant budget to address the issue of terrorism which further escalated global human insecurity in terms of economic, social, and political dimensions. US budget on military, defense and security for example, in 2007, rose to approximately $626.1 billion per annum.[5] Others predicted even for war in Iraq and Afghanistan, the total budget spent was about $ 3 trillion.[6]
Similarly, China and other developing world did the same thing with US had done. In 2007, Chinese military budget was US$59 billion, but Pentagon estimated its range between US$97 and US$139 billion, [7] the second highest in the world after the US. Pakistan, India, Middle East, African countries also allocated very significant amount of budget for military while for humanities, such as education has drastically declined. Pakistan for example has increased their operational budget to over 30% on military, while for education is only one percent. Similarly to US total budget for education is only 2%. We are questioning this trend if we need to save the future of our children, the future our generation and the future of our common humanity. Let us immediately hand in hand to stop this competition to defense and military, let’s re-contemplate to the tragedy of the second world war, the tragedy of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, let us voice our academic voice, let’s voice the voice the voiceless, to address this new world fragmentation and reshaping a new international order to win the voice humanity. Here is the room or space for interfaith dialogues to guarantee that human history will be in a good shape. Let’s take a great lesson learned from the life of ants.
Indonesia is probably one of the very few countries in the world, had to choose other path which is not majority. We had put in our constitution that national budget is minimum 20% for education, not to military. This is an indication which proves our commitment to the future of our children, the future of our common humanities.
Building Strong Cooperation between US and Indonesia
Indonesia’s commitment to democracy despite its wide pro and cont appears to be the point of no return. During this difficult time, Indonesia has made some remarkable achievements. We should greatly appreciate Plowshares Institute and Hartford Institute to collaborate with us during this challenging time in our modern history. The following areas in my views are examples of great importance for our further cooperation.
Firstly, shortly after the fall of Soeharto, we have democratized our system. We had abolished and revised several laws and regulations which in the past were very oppressive to the people and violated the people’s rights. Among these laws were the law on Anti-Subversion and the law on Political Parties. The law on Anti-Subversion was very oppressive and often used to take away the people’s freedom of expression. This type of law is still being widely implemented in Singapore, Malaysia and other neighboring countries. During the global US coalition to address terrorism, we had been pressured to return to this system simply because of combating terrorism reasons. If that to be made, our road to democracy will somehow deteriorated its momentum. We need to combat terrorism side by side by appreciating human rights and due law processes. Inconsistencies of the west to promote democracy may lead to the suicide of democracy itself in the third world.
Shortly after 9/11 tragedy, Bob, Alice and me wrote a book on Democracy, Human Rights and Conflict Transformation: An Indonesian Approach to Terrorism. The book was trying to address the root of terrorism from Indonesian perspective. Our perspective is the third way perspective, Hartford Seminary perspective, Pancasila perspective, neither guided by the first nor the second world perspectives. It is very similar to the life pattern of ants. It is also similar pattern to our analogy of a poetic article of Hatta, our proclamator of Independence, sailing at the space between the two islands, capitalistic island and socialistic island.
I would like to invite Hartford Seminary and Plowshares Institute, through our pilot project on interfaith dialogues, human rights, research and development, to put into our agenda of cooperation on those crucial issues.
Secondly, shortly after the fall of centralistic regime, we promoted human rights. We carried out four occasions of amendments to our 1945 Constitution. Among the most important amendments is the additional of a special chapter on human rights. We had adopted law on human rights (No.39/1999) and law on human rights court (No.26/2000), and law on truth reconciliation commission (TRC). The law on human rights has basically adopted the existing provision in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights as well as the relevant Conventions on women and children.
In the framework of reform and social and political transformation to a new democratic Indonesia, the law on TRC has been also adopted in early 2004. I was one of the five members of a team appointed by the President Yudhoyono to immediately establish the TRC. However, concurrent to the process of its establishment, on September 11, 2006, some NGOs proposed amendment to law No 27/2004 on TRC. To respond it, on December 7, 2006, however, the Constitutional Court decided to revoke the law and declared that the law of TRC was unconstitutional, and against the 1945 Constitution. This decision was a shock to certain NGOs who then made their complaints heard because they had never expected the court would revoke the entire law.
As a result, the Constitutional Court’s decision terminated all the on going processes relating to the establishment of TRC. However, this does not mean that there will be no solution aimed at addressing the past gross human rights violations through a reconciliation mechanism. Various solutions may be proposed and established, such as by ratifying all relevant international human rights instruments, or by providing political solutions through rehabilitation and public amnesty, such as was the case in Aceh which was attained through a peace accord.
I would like to invite Hartford Seminary and Plowshares Institute, through our pilot project on interfaith dialogues, human rights, research and development, to put into our agenda of cooperation on these key issues to promote reconciliation, promote and protect human rights. It is at the time US to reinvent its pioneering roles on human rights. Former President Jimmy Carter was saying that US did not invent human rights, but human rights invented US. Human rights is the spirit of the Nation. The pioneering roles of US in human rights fields need to be made side by side to combat terrorism.
Thirdly, shortly after the fall of Soeharto era, in 1998, President Habibie issued a President Decree on National Plan of Action on Human Rights (RANHAM) for five years. Then the second plan for 2004-2009 has been made, declared as a national movement by both President Megawati and President Yudhoyono. One of its concrete implementation mechanisms was its formulation into one strategic agenda for research and development. This agenda contains 122 concrete programs to address the issue of vulnerability of 21 target groups across the republic, such children, women, disable people, etc. This agenda aimed at: (1) revealing data that can give picture of various obstacles in human rights promotion and protection, (2) enhance good governance in national, provincial as well as regency/municipality levels by human rights approach, and (3) setting up priority policy recommendations for reforms in terms of legislation, economic, socio-political and cultural developments across the country.
I would like to invite Hartford Seminary and Plowshares Institute, through our pilot project on interfaith dialogues, human rights, research and development, to put into our agenda of cooperation on the implementation of the strategic agenda.
President Heidi Hadsell, ladies and gentleman
Before ending my address, let me reiterate again that despite Indonesia is the largest Muslim population in the world but it is the most moderate one. The change and reform we had made in all sectors will not proceed this country into a religious state. Former President Habibie had illustrated that the similarities between Muslim and Non-Muslim in Indonesia is much closer than Muslim and Muslim in other countries. The similarities between Christine and Islam in Indonesia is much closer than Christine and Christine in other countries. Interfaith dialogues, tolerance have been proved by our long history. Borobudur Temple as one of the seven world wonders, locates in Islamic communities, but it had been preserved during the last few centuries without any tension to local Hindu and Buddhist followers. This harmonious coexistence could be a real testimony on how religious harmony existed in our society for many centuries. This reminds me what Gandhi was saying that I do not want to stay in a house with all its windows and doors shut. I want a house with all its windows and doors open where the cultural breezes of all lands and nations blow through my house. But I refuse to be blown off my feet by any.[8]
Finally, allow me to take this opportunity once again to thank you Prof Heidi and Board of Professors your continued cooperation and support to our effort in the promotion and protection of human rights, especially for your appreciation to my commitment and dedication in promoting human rights and bilateral, regional and international cooperation during the last one decade by awarding a doctor honorary degree to me personally. We hope that the existing cordial relations and cooperation could be developed and strengthened in the future. The six participants from various agencies and institutions are now here, they are Indonesian Ambassadors to US during their present in your Campus, and they will be Hartford Seminary Ambassadors, US Ambassadors to Indonesia when they return home. I wish you all the best, may the democracy of the intellect remain alive in the mind and in the heart of all of us and all graduates, and may the almighty Allah bless all of us, Amien.
Hartford, May 30, 2008
[1] (UNESCO, Policy Paper for Change and Development in Higher Education (Paris: UNESCO, 1995), p.42
[2] UNESCO, Letters to Future Generation, (Paris: UNESCO, 1999), pp 133-140
[3] The Asian-African Conference adopted the Ten Principles, which are as follows: respect for fundamental human rights and for the purposes and the principles of the Charter of the United Nations; respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations; recognition of the equality of all races and of the equality of all nations large and small; respect for the right of each nation to defend itself singly or collectively, in conformity with the Charter of the United Nations; a) abstention from the use of arrangements of collective defense to serve the particular interests of any of the big powers, b) abstention by any country from exerting pressures on other countries; refraining from acts or threats of aggression or the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any country; settlement of all international disputes by peaceful means, such as negotiation, conciliation, arbitration or judicial settlement as well as other peaceful means of the parties’ own choice, in conformity with the Charter of the United Nations; promotion of mutual interests and co-operation; respect for justice and international obligations.
[4] Pancasila comprises five inseparable and interrelated principles. They are: (1) Belief in the One and Only God This principle of Pancasila reaffirms the Indonesian people’s belief that God does exist. (2) Just and Civilized Humanity. This principle requires that human beings be treated with due regard to their dignity as God’s creatures. It emphasizes that Indonesian people do not tolerate physical or spiritual oppression of human beings by their own people or by any other nation, (3) The Unity of Indonesia, This principle embodies the concept of nationalism, of love for one’s nation and motherland. It envisages the need to always foster national unity and integrity, (4) Democracy Guided by the Inner Wisdom in the Unanimity Arising Out of Deliberations Amongst Representatives. About this type of democracy, President Soeharto said: “The democracy that we practice is Pancasila democracy of which the basic principles and legal basis are laid down in the 1945 Constitution.” Pancasila democracy calls for decision making through deliberations, musyawarah, to reach a consensus, mufakat. It is democracy that lives up to the principles of Pancasila, (5) Social Justice for the Whole of the People of Indonesia. This principle calls for the equitable spread of welfare to the entire population, not in a static but in a dynamic and progressive way. This means that all the country’s natural resources and the national potentials should be utilized for the greatest possible good and happiness of the people.
[5] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_budget_of_the_United_States
[6] http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=8590
[7] Loc.cit
[8] Keynote of Prime Minister of India at the International Conference on Peace, Non-violence and Empowerement –Gandhian Philosophy in the 21st Century, New Delhi, 30 Januari 2007
Hafid Abbas' New Vision 