Workshop on the Implementation of Human Rights Cities was held during the Human Rights Festival on Wednesday, 14 November 2018, in Sasana Adipura Kencana building, Wonosobo, Indonesia.
This parallel discussion which moderated by Sandra Moniaga of Komnas HAM, invited a panel of experts to discuss the importance of the effective implementation of human right cities in all regions of Indonesia.
The panel of experts included Remigo Yolando Berutu, representative of the West Pakpak Regency; Sukirman, representative of the Serdang Bedagai Regency; Sumaedi, representative of the Wonosobo Regency; and Zainal Abidin, representative of International NGO Forum on Indonesian Development
This discussion was introduced by Sumaedi, representative of Wonosobo district Indonesia, who presented the various human rights based regulations that Wonosobo has implemented in an effort to strengthen Wonosobo’s progressive development towards tolerance and full inclusivity.
Sumaedi explains that Wonosobo is governed by Regulation 5/2018 which formally establishes Wonosobo’s efforts to becoming a human rights city; Regulation 8/2018 concerning labour protection; Regulation 42/2018 as a supplementary protocol to clarify and enhance Regulation 6/2018 which establishes the Human Rights Commission of Wonosobo Indonesia (“Commission”).
He further explains that the Commission is tasked with ensuring that policies in Wonosobo adheres to human rights principles. Members of the Commission are derived of religious leaders, government officials, and academics.
Contributing to the discussion, Remigo added that the concept of human rights must be applicable to areas beyond cases relating to violence.
As a follow-up, Sukirman expressed that the Serdang Bedagai Regency has implemented a number of strategies to strengthen access to human rights. This includes cooperating with institutions such as the Indonesian Ombudsman, INFID, and Komnas HAM to address human rights violations related to housing rights, land conflicts, and inadequate quality of education.
Furthermore, the regency has held human rights forums, and implemented various human rights seminars and training.
Zainal added that the local community must be encouraged to participate in the decision and policy making process in order to effectively implement strategies towards successfully achieving a human rights city.
Concluding the discussion with a short “question and answer” segment, experts advised that regional regulators must establish policies to involve their respective local communities, vulnerable groups such as persons with disabilities especially, in the decision making process.
Additionally, the strategies implemented must be focused on inclusivity and cooperation. Experts suggest that in order to achieve this effectively, regulators must be prepared to hold open discussions and establish forums as means to communicate with the general public transparently. (Jeff)
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