Mid-Semester Review
Today I have my Mid-Semester review, which consists of writing a review on a Jakarta Post article. A review that I very much like, because since the age of 8, I've started reading The Jakarta Post, so I'm good with it.
The article that I chose is "UN to grill RI on rising rights abuse" by Hans Nicholas Jong. I chose this because A) I love the UN, B) Nara Masista, my new favourite Indonesian figure is mentioned and C) I'm a huge human rights defender (I wouldn't call myslef an activist, because I haven't done anything significant yet). The sentence that intrigues me the most is the mention of violation of religion, because I'm not a Muslim, so in Indonesia I'm quite a minority. Ifind itnot very shocking that Indonesia seals down other religious worshipping places because I have heard of it. My ears aren't a stranger to religious violence or even the executions in Aceh which they consider is right according to Sharia, the religious law of Islam. The mention of that intrigued me to read on and learn more about it.
Some people may think that its boring to read about human rights abuse and the diplomatic tie between UN and Indonesia, but for me, it's one of the most fascinating stories. I also find this particular paragraph, Supriyadi was referring to the Indonesian authorities’ decision to use articles 106 and 110 of the Criminal Code to criminalize dozens of peaceful Papuan pro-independence political activists over the last decade. to be very intriguing and sparks my curiousity. Why did the Indonesian goverment choose to "criminalize" the Papuan activists, do they see them as threats to the country, do the Indonesian governments think that Papua is such an important asset that they can't afford to lose? If so, why do they treat Papua so indifferent? But that is a sotry for another time.
The main idea (gagasan) of this article is about how there has been many reports on the quality of human rights in Indonesia and how lots of big names in Indonesia such as religious organizations and big manufacturers has been abusing their rights. It also mentions how Indonesia has been recorded to be intolerant of other minor religions and has also force sealed some worshipping places and obstructing the rituals and ceremonies of some religious celebrations.
It is expected that Indonesia will have a hard time defending theirselves from the critical questions launched by the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), which is a mechanism of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council (HRC) that emerged from the 2005 UN reform process. This is the first international human rights mechanism to address all countries and all human rights.
( from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Periodic_Review retrieved 30th September 2016) The expected topics that will be brought up is about the treason in Papua and the executions that happen (e.g. Merry Utami, Humphrey Jefferson, etc) in Nusa Kambangan.
Personally, I think that for years, Indonesia has been sugarcoating the truth on human rights. We act as if we're the kindest people and the most sincere country (which some of us are really are!) but the majority of people in the governments are always seeking for away to hide the dishonesty that lays inside the government, to hide the criminalities that they do, and sometimes put the blame on civilians instead. I'm not implying that this is what always happens, but the reality is that it happens, and we almost have no way of preventing it, as civilians. The government of Indonesia has lots of money, sponsors and ties that can make us look incredibly guilty when defending civilians. Governors are sneaky, and they always find a loophole in the system, allowing them to be corrupt and twist the reality of what they're doing. Journalists can be bribed, the media can be censored, and civilians can be thrown in prison for a crime they didn't commit. I think that the article conveys this message in a hidden way, and not everyone will realize it. The article itself without the meanings is great, the words convey the main idea very well, and the mention of how Indonesia will most likely will not be able to give valid enough proof against the UPR will make readers concerned, and I hope that that leads to people taking more actions.
I know that Indonesia has not been a country that is kind to its civilians, hence the whole human rights abuse fiasco. But I've seen people reacting toward the government, and I've seen action. The article mentions The Wahid Institute, a research centre in advancing the development of both Indonesian as well as Islamic society, improving the welfare of lower class of the society, building democracy and fundamental justice, and expanding peace and non-violence throughout the world. (from http://wahidinstitute.org/wi-eng/about-us/about-the-wahid-institute.html retrieved 30th September 2016) Institutes and organizations like this make me believe that it is possible for change in the following years. Probably not in 10 years time, but maybe 15 to 20 years Indonesia will have changed for the better.
For years, I have rarely perceived Indonesia in a good light and I have always though of Indonesia of a mess. As I grow older, I think of my future, which will require me to hold love for my country and be knowledgeable of my country. I realize that it's my job as the leading generation, or the golden generation to bring change to Indonesia and not runfrom the problems in my country and change my nationality. As a child growing up abroad, I wasn't familiar to the problems of early 2000 Indonesian problems, still recovering from the Monetary Crisis. I wasn't taught to love Indonesia, and I wasn't even taught the national anthem. Perhaps thats one of the factors of why growing up, I didn't hold much nationality and instead was irritated of my situation and often was jealous with all my friend that lived overseas.
This article, doesn't neccessarily make me perceive Indonesia in a worse light, because I have been beyond irritated with my country, wished so desperately to flee the country and been through other personal problems with my country. But now I have realized how dull it would be to live in a modern, first world country which is developed so well. Indonesia brings adventures, a small kick of modernism makes your body jolt with excitement. One person with the same openmindness I have makes me leap with joy and immediately wants to befriend them. I feel that all the bumps and the political fiascos and pandemonium is what makes Indonesia my favourite country, and as much as I still love Australia with whole my body, Indonesia is my home, and all that happens in Indonesia will not make me look at my country with hatred, it just fuels me to make a bigger difference.
My hope for the future Indonesia is of course, I have excelled and done well in my education or in my life generally so I can make a big difference. The two things that I have always wanted to be is a journalist and a diplomat, that's why this article intrigued me so much (way too much). I hope that I can be an honest person, whichever path I choose, and I wish that my voice has a power in the world to make a change, I don't necessarily need Indonesia to be a modern country with MRTs all over the cities and a 300 km/hour train blasting it's way to Surabaya from Bandung. Personally, I just wish that we have a clean government where everyone is honest and kind. Where the governments and journalists can't be bribed, and where religion, gender, sexuality or social class isn't a problem in the government or better, in the society. I don't hink that it will be easy, it would be a long and winding process with lot's of protests and riots.
As a student, there's not much I can do right now, because I don't know much about the world. I sure do know a lot compared to some other kids my age, but I guess that my knowledge isn't that broad to help. I sure can help out as a volunteer, but I'm not a power to reckon with compared to the government. I could turn into an athlete as Yusra Madini did and use my fame to make a difference, or turn into a child actress and be a HeForShe advocate, as did Rowan Blanchard and Emma Watson. The point is, there are so much ways to help. I just haven't found the right one for me, yet,
Eventually, I will make a difference, because what's the purpose of life if you don't make a difference?
L I N K
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/09/29/un-grill-ri-rising-rights-abuses.html
N O T E S
The difficulties that I had reading the article:
-What is the UPR (Universal Periodic Review)
-The definition of expedite
ex·pe·dite
ˈekspəˌdīt/verb
verb: expedite; 3rd person present: expedites; past tense: expedited; past participle: expedited; gerund or present participle: expediting
make (an action or process) happen sooner or be accomplished more quickly.
"He promised to expedite economic reforms"
-The term bogged down
bogged down
adjective: entangled, involved, overwhelmed, mixed up, embroiled, enmeshed, ensnared, encumbered "But why get bogged down in legal details?"
-The definition of treason
trea·son
ˈtrēzən/noun
noun: the crime of betraying one's country, especially by attempting to kill the sovereign or overthrow the government.
"They were convicted of treason"
W O R D C O U N T
1576 words
The article that I chose is "UN to grill RI on rising rights abuse" by Hans Nicholas Jong. I chose this because A) I love the UN, B) Nara Masista, my new favourite Indonesian figure is mentioned and C) I'm a huge human rights defender (I wouldn't call myslef an activist, because I haven't done anything significant yet). The sentence that intrigues me the most is the mention of violation of religion, because I'm not a Muslim, so in Indonesia I'm quite a minority. Ifind itnot very shocking that Indonesia seals down other religious worshipping places because I have heard of it. My ears aren't a stranger to religious violence or even the executions in Aceh which they consider is right according to Sharia, the religious law of Islam. The mention of that intrigued me to read on and learn more about it.
Some people may think that its boring to read about human rights abuse and the diplomatic tie between UN and Indonesia, but for me, it's one of the most fascinating stories. I also find this particular paragraph, Supriyadi was referring to the Indonesian authorities’ decision to use articles 106 and 110 of the Criminal Code to criminalize dozens of peaceful Papuan pro-independence political activists over the last decade. to be very intriguing and sparks my curiousity. Why did the Indonesian goverment choose to "criminalize" the Papuan activists, do they see them as threats to the country, do the Indonesian governments think that Papua is such an important asset that they can't afford to lose? If so, why do they treat Papua so indifferent? But that is a sotry for another time.
The main idea (gagasan) of this article is about how there has been many reports on the quality of human rights in Indonesia and how lots of big names in Indonesia such as religious organizations and big manufacturers has been abusing their rights. It also mentions how Indonesia has been recorded to be intolerant of other minor religions and has also force sealed some worshipping places and obstructing the rituals and ceremonies of some religious celebrations.
It is expected that Indonesia will have a hard time defending theirselves from the critical questions launched by the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), which is a mechanism of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council (HRC) that emerged from the 2005 UN reform process. This is the first international human rights mechanism to address all countries and all human rights.
( from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Periodic_Review retrieved 30th September 2016) The expected topics that will be brought up is about the treason in Papua and the executions that happen (e.g. Merry Utami, Humphrey Jefferson, etc) in Nusa Kambangan.
Personally, I think that for years, Indonesia has been sugarcoating the truth on human rights. We act as if we're the kindest people and the most sincere country (which some of us are really are!) but the majority of people in the governments are always seeking for away to hide the dishonesty that lays inside the government, to hide the criminalities that they do, and sometimes put the blame on civilians instead. I'm not implying that this is what always happens, but the reality is that it happens, and we almost have no way of preventing it, as civilians. The government of Indonesia has lots of money, sponsors and ties that can make us look incredibly guilty when defending civilians. Governors are sneaky, and they always find a loophole in the system, allowing them to be corrupt and twist the reality of what they're doing. Journalists can be bribed, the media can be censored, and civilians can be thrown in prison for a crime they didn't commit. I think that the article conveys this message in a hidden way, and not everyone will realize it. The article itself without the meanings is great, the words convey the main idea very well, and the mention of how Indonesia will most likely will not be able to give valid enough proof against the UPR will make readers concerned, and I hope that that leads to people taking more actions.
I know that Indonesia has not been a country that is kind to its civilians, hence the whole human rights abuse fiasco. But I've seen people reacting toward the government, and I've seen action. The article mentions The Wahid Institute, a research centre in advancing the development of both Indonesian as well as Islamic society, improving the welfare of lower class of the society, building democracy and fundamental justice, and expanding peace and non-violence throughout the world. (from http://wahidinstitute.org/wi-eng/about-us/about-the-wahid-institute.html retrieved 30th September 2016) Institutes and organizations like this make me believe that it is possible for change in the following years. Probably not in 10 years time, but maybe 15 to 20 years Indonesia will have changed for the better.
For years, I have rarely perceived Indonesia in a good light and I have always though of Indonesia of a mess. As I grow older, I think of my future, which will require me to hold love for my country and be knowledgeable of my country. I realize that it's my job as the leading generation, or the golden generation to bring change to Indonesia and not runfrom the problems in my country and change my nationality. As a child growing up abroad, I wasn't familiar to the problems of early 2000 Indonesian problems, still recovering from the Monetary Crisis. I wasn't taught to love Indonesia, and I wasn't even taught the national anthem. Perhaps thats one of the factors of why growing up, I didn't hold much nationality and instead was irritated of my situation and often was jealous with all my friend that lived overseas.
This article, doesn't neccessarily make me perceive Indonesia in a worse light, because I have been beyond irritated with my country, wished so desperately to flee the country and been through other personal problems with my country. But now I have realized how dull it would be to live in a modern, first world country which is developed so well. Indonesia brings adventures, a small kick of modernism makes your body jolt with excitement. One person with the same openmindness I have makes me leap with joy and immediately wants to befriend them. I feel that all the bumps and the political fiascos and pandemonium is what makes Indonesia my favourite country, and as much as I still love Australia with whole my body, Indonesia is my home, and all that happens in Indonesia will not make me look at my country with hatred, it just fuels me to make a bigger difference.
My hope for the future Indonesia is of course, I have excelled and done well in my education or in my life generally so I can make a big difference. The two things that I have always wanted to be is a journalist and a diplomat, that's why this article intrigued me so much (way too much). I hope that I can be an honest person, whichever path I choose, and I wish that my voice has a power in the world to make a change, I don't necessarily need Indonesia to be a modern country with MRTs all over the cities and a 300 km/hour train blasting it's way to Surabaya from Bandung. Personally, I just wish that we have a clean government where everyone is honest and kind. Where the governments and journalists can't be bribed, and where religion, gender, sexuality or social class isn't a problem in the government or better, in the society. I don't hink that it will be easy, it would be a long and winding process with lot's of protests and riots.
As a student, there's not much I can do right now, because I don't know much about the world. I sure do know a lot compared to some other kids my age, but I guess that my knowledge isn't that broad to help. I sure can help out as a volunteer, but I'm not a power to reckon with compared to the government. I could turn into an athlete as Yusra Madini did and use my fame to make a difference, or turn into a child actress and be a HeForShe advocate, as did Rowan Blanchard and Emma Watson. The point is, there are so much ways to help. I just haven't found the right one for me, yet,
Eventually, I will make a difference, because what's the purpose of life if you don't make a difference?
L I N K
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/09/29/un-grill-ri-rising-rights-abuses.html
N O T E S
The difficulties that I had reading the article:
-What is the UPR (Universal Periodic Review)
-The definition of expedite
ex·pe·dite
ˈekspəˌdīt/verb
verb: expedite; 3rd person present: expedites; past tense: expedited; past participle: expedited; gerund or present participle: expediting
make (an action or process) happen sooner or be accomplished more quickly.
"He promised to expedite economic reforms"
-The term bogged down
bogged down
adjective: entangled, involved, overwhelmed, mixed up, embroiled, enmeshed, ensnared, encumbered "But why get bogged down in legal details?"
-The definition of treason
trea·son
ˈtrēzən/noun
noun: the crime of betraying one's country, especially by attempting to kill the sovereign or overthrow the government.
"They were convicted of treason"
W O R D C O U N T
1576 words
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