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RELIGIOUS PERSPECTIVES ON HUMAN RIGHTS
E-Newsletter
Vol.1 No.8
August 2, 1999
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Religious Perspectives on Human Rights is now available online at: http://www.rghr.net
Religious Perspectives on Human Rights is a weekly e-newsletter issued by Buddhist, Muslim, Catholic and Christian Groups on Human Rights, initiated by the Asian Human Rights Commission.
Why It is an Humanitarian Duty to Support the
Call
The Demand of the Indonesian People To Their
Armed Forces to Abdicate the Power It had Under Suharto
In our last issue we discussed as to Why It is an Humanitarian
Duty to Support the Call to Bring Suharto to Trial. In this issue
we discuss a related matter, realisation of which is very
essential to the happiness, peace and future prosperity of the
Indonesian people in particular and South East Asian people in
general. The issue is the one relating to the Indonesian
military. They have been the cause of unhappiness to every
ordinary Indonesian family and every person. Now, their invisible
leader and mover have gone, each one in this military owe a duty
to themselves and to their people to gently away so that the
people themselves including those who have been in the military,
may manage their affairs with coercion and more self confidence.
If go gently the people in the country and outside will think
that they have done the right thing and history may take a softer
view of them.
As it is well known we are dealing with an ordinary meaning of
armed forces. Suharto incorporated to the official doctrine of
the state sharing of power with the military. The study of
Indonesian State will show how a capitalist government adopted
the communist doctrine of the place of military and carried it as
completely as Joseph Stalin. The Western powers closed their eyes
to this characteristic cold war blindness. The rule by this giant
military apparatus was justified with the tongue in the cheek
expression, Asian Values. It was unfortunate for the Indonesian
people when some in the world said, "Oh, it is their way of
doing things! We must not interfere." But at least now the
world can repent the wrong they did to Indonesia. The world
should. It is not possible for democracy and the doctrine of
sharing of power with the military to coexist. Two are
contradictory notions. If the contradiction is not removed more
blood will be shed. Should one not pray that this should t
happen? Do military goes away gently. Yes, often they do. The
most resent example is the one of the Soviet military. There are
very interesting studies to show how they went way on their own
and did not put up an attempt to remain. This military behaviour
is no surprise.
Militaries are fed with the ideology of patriotism. And when
they do realise patriotism demand their abdication, most go
gently. Those who are willing to give their lives for their
country will not find it difficult to give up their guns for the
sake of their country. Yes, it is human, all too human to give up
personal or group benefit for a better cause. On the other hand
the nation have a duty to offer them alternative ways of living.
The bargain will be for mutual benefit. The international
community can help Indonesia to realise these aims morally and
materially. All those who claim that feeling for Indonesian
people now have a chance to help. They must encourage the armed
forces to go gently.
What can you do?
1. You may write to the leaders of armed forces to encourage
them to give way to democratic process.
2. You may find your own way to publicise this issue in your
own country and in Indonesia.
3. In your own group you can take special actions. Write to
your counterparts in Indonesia to express support for their
struggle for democracy and particularly express your view of the
need of the armed forces to give up their position, which they
have enjoyed under an undemocratic regime. Write to leaders of
the religious group you belong to and take active part in this
campaign; write to world leaders of your religious group to do
the same.
Assassination of Prominent Democrat and a
Well-known Human Rights Defender – Dr. Neelan Thiruchelvam
The following message of condolence was issued by The Rt. Rev.
Kenneth Fernando, Bishop of Colombo:
"I am greatly distressed by the news of the death of Dr.
Neelan Thiruchelvam. He has been a close friend of mine for over
35 years. I have admired him both for his great erudition as a
constitutional lawyer and for his integrity of character.
"He has firmly upheld the rights of all people in our
country irrespective of race or religion. He was totally devoted
to the cause of a just negotiated settlement of the ethnic
conflict of our country.
"He has constantly encouraged all of us who have been
involved in peace making efforts.
"His loss is a severe blow to peace, democracy and
freedom in our country. I condemn this dastardly act in the
strongest terms.
"The Christian community which I head joins me in this
expression of deep sorrow to his family and our country as a
whole.
"He has been a close friend of mine for over 35 years. I
have admired him both for his great erudition as a constitutional
lawyer and for his integrity of character.
"He has firmly upheld the rights of all people in our
country irrespective of race or religion. He was totally devoted
to the cause of a just negotiated settlement of the ethnic
conflict of our country.
"He has constantly encouraged all of us who have been
involved in peace making efforts. "His loss is a severe blow
to peace, democracy and freedom in our country. I condemn this
dastardly act in the strongest terms."The Christian
community which I head joins me in this expression of deep sorrow
to his family and our country as a whole."The Secretary
General of the Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Sangha Sabha Ven.
Kotugoda Dhammawasa Anunayaka Thera’s a message of
condolence on behalf of the Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Sangha Sabha
and Buddhist community:Dr. Neelan Tiruchelvam who was an
internationally respected human rights activist and peace
crusader was engaged in a difficult task silently to settle the
struggle that is a headache for all Sri Lankans. Dr. Neelan
Tiruchelvam who stood for the unity of the motherland and for the
unity of all races held discussions privately as well as
officially with both the clergy and the laity. He exchanged ideas
with them. He expressed opinions. He sought international support
to settle this struggle. Dr. Neelan Tiruchelvam won the affection
and respect of not only the Tamil-speaking people, but of all the
communities of Sri Lanka. We are reluctantly compelled to say
that this struggle has emerged due to the lapses on the part of
both parties. Therefore this matter has to be settled without
hurling abuse at each other or by fighting with each other.
Dr. Neelan Tiruchalvam made an honest attempt to carry on an
untiring effort through many years to find solutions to the
ethnic crisis that is still lingering. We have lost Dr. Neelan
Tiruchelvam at a time when his services would be most needed.
Undoubtedly history will record with much respect the services
rendered by him both nationally and internationally. The only way
to honour him is to tread the path mapped out by him for peace.
Announcements
The four AHRC web-sites give a lot of information on human
rights issues. The web-site details are given below. Annihilation
of Caste- By B.R. Ambedkar is available in www.hrschool.org You may
obtain past copies of this E-Newsletter and other related
materials from AHRC. Those who wish to write articles or letters
to contribute may contact AHRC at the address given below.
TWO NEW BOOKS will be out SOON.
Buddhism, Human Rights And Social Renewal- Dr. Nalin Suwaris
Demoralisation and Hope- Comparative study of Ideas of N.F.S.
Grundtvig (Denmark) and B.R. Ambedkar (India) On Social Equality
by Basil Fernando-a paper submitted to Danish Institute on Human
Rights.
Posted on 1999-08-02
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