YLBHI Fears Resolution of Human Rights Cases Will Stall If Prabowo Elected

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) chairman Muhammad Isnur believed that if Prabowo Subianto becomes president, the resolution of past human rights cases would be impeded.

“Like the kidnapping case, there will be no progress because it involves him (Prabowo). So we are very worried that the past human rights settlement will be stalled, closed, or even reversed,” Isnur told Tempo on Thursday, February 15.

He alluded to Prabowo's perspective on the conflict in Papua, mentioning that the Defense Minister's proposed conflict resolution plans often involve a militaristic approach.

“He perceives Papua as separatist, so the situation in Papua may exacerbate in the future,” Isnur added.

Prabowo's proclivity towards militaristic views which prioritize security could also weaken freedom of expression. “We are concerned that any form of expression will be more repressed [under the leadership of Prabowo]. But hopefully that won't happen,” he said.

Earlier, the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) chairperson Atnike Nova Sigiro hoped that human rights would be one of the priority agendas for the elected president.

“Komnas HAM is still waiting for the KPU's official announcement. But, as mandated by the constitution and law, we hope that human rights will be one of the priority agendas of whoever becomes the next president,” he told Tempo on February 15.

Based on the quick count results from independent pollsters, Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka is leading the presidential race with over 50 percent of the votes nationwide.

BAGUS PRIBADI

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