Archive for November, 2009
Universal jurisdiction and global governance
The International Criminal Court in The Hague
(Image Source: Wikipedia)
by Jennie S. Bev
International law has risen to a new level where it is no longer a series of norms that nations agree to adopt but rarely enforce. It has risen to a new plateau where it is more than a political instrument.
Landmark cases are being created, which is crucial to worldwide advancement in adherence to human rights and respect for humanity. Eventually, international law is no longer more philosophical than practical and it promises to evolve into something greater than mere utopia. It is the gateway to good global governance.
Recently, there have been several incidents in which individuals and entities belonging to other geographical jurisdictions are investigated and tried in other countries or by the International Criminal Court (ICC). A Norwegian court and the ICC are separately investigating Israel for alleged war crimes in Gaza regardless of Palestine’s nonstate status. Read the rest of this entry »
Charter for compassion and hope
by Jennie S. Bev
On Nov. 12, the Charter for Compassion, a document promoting peace and tolerance, will be officiated and hopefully it will serve as an antidote to religious fundamentalism.
It is the brainchild of religious scholar Karen Armstrong whose breakthrough book A History of God shook the world in 1993 with the assistance of the 2008 TED Prize of US$100,000.
The charter includes ideas and writings from people of all nations, all faiths and all religions, including Abrahamic faiths, and secular-agnostic-atheist non-faiths. Read the rest of this entry »
Just for You: Mutiara-Mutiara Kehidupan
Judul: Just for You: Mutiara-Mutiara Kehidupan
Penulis: P. Mutiara Andalas, SJ
Penerbit: Kanisius, Yogyakarta, 2009
Ukuran: 150×150
Beli: Klik di sini
Kata Pengantar
Buku di tangan pembaca sejatinya sebuah kado ulang tahun. Saya mempersembahkannya untuk seorang remaja yang baru saja menginjak usia 17 tahun. Kisah hidupnya seringkali membawa ingatan saya kembali pada Aya dalam drama serial Ichi Ritoru no Namida. Di balik drama 1 Liter Air Mata, saya menemukan harapan akan kehidupan yang senantiasa bernyala. Harapan hidup ditemukan saat keduanya bergumul dengan sakit. Nafas tulisan berasal dari perjumpaan dengan pribadi-pribadi istimewa seperti penerima persembahan buku. Saya terngiang penuturan A. Alvarez yang mengaku jatuh cinta pada bahasa lebih dari setengah abad. Read the rest of this entry »
Democracy and the `remilitarization’ of the TNI
Image source: kaskus.us
by Evan A. Laksmana
Is democracy hurting Indonesia’s defense? One cannot but ponder this unspoken, yet often privately asked, question heard recently in a public discussion organized by noted military watchdog the Pro-Patria Institute.
While the forum was meant to launch the institute’s latest recommendations on national security, discussions during the Q&A session touched on the “excesses” of democracy and how it has complicated, if not undermined, the Indonesian Military’s (TNI) efforts to strengthen national defense. Read the rest of this entry »
Ecce Homo! Kebisuan Negara, Pembisuan Korban, & Politik Kenangan*
Sumber gambar: coffeeoriental.wordpress.com
Oleh Mutiara Andalas[1]
Kebisuan negara dan pembisuan korban adalah halangan terbesar kenangan akan korban. Mutiara Andalas
Clara, karakter imajiner dalam cerita pendek Seno Gumira Ajidarma, barangkali akan menjadi kenangan langka kita terhadap kekerasan seksual massal dalam tragedi Mei 1998. Awan gelap masih membebat identitas sebagian besar perempuan Indonesia etnis Cina yang menjadi korban kekerasan seksual dalam tragedi. Negara menyayangkan tanggapan terbatas korban terhadap undangan kesaksian demi menyingkap kebenaran. Wacana politik berpusar di sekitar selisih data korban, keterbatasan menjangkau korban, dan pembuktian kekerasan seksual. Pendamping korban terjepit dilema antara membongkar pelaku dan melindungi korban kekerasan seksual. Pilihan melindungi keselamatan korban dari ancaman pelaku membiakkan isu kekerasan seksual sebagai drama kebohongan. Tarik-menarik keduanya cenderung berakibat negatif bagi korban. Narasi penderitaan korban kekerasan seksual dan dakwaan mereka terhadap pelaku semakin kehilangan tempat dalam kenangan publik. Read the rest of this entry »
Is Indonesia Really a Democracy?
Image Source: foreignpolicy.com
by Evan A. Laksmana
Is Indonesia’s democracy really blooming? If you read the English-speaking press, you might think the answer is a resounding yes. Papers in London and New York have applauded President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s cabinet picks and hailed his government as a post-authoritarian success story. Democracy is consolidating and the economy is growing, they say, thanks to Yudhoyono’s stewardship over the past five years. Why else would more than 60 percent of the electorate have voted for him in recent elections?
If you read the local press, however, a very different narrative emerges. Read the rest of this entry »
Verisimilitude, bullshit, and meaning
Image source: tele-smart.com
by Jennie S. Bev
Every single incident captured through the senses has at least one meaning, if not several. Meanings are both attached and given. As a writer, I give both concrete and abstract meanings to many things, since verisimilitude is a principle that I always strive for.
The truth, or at least the sincere semblance of it, gives validity and credibility to one’s thoughts. More importantly, since writing is life presented on a piece of paper, it is being alive in a different format. Read the rest of this entry »
Gearing up for `three-block war’
Image source: detik.com
by Evan A. Laksmana
On Oct. 5, the Indonesian Military (TNI) celebrated its 64th anniversary amid tough times. Domestically, Indonesia’s recurring natural disasters in the past five years have kept the TNI fully-occupied. A string of deadly military accidents and recurrent drops in defense budgets have also made things more difficult.
Internationally, the rise of low-intensity conflicts across the globe and rising pressure on overburdened US forces has seen a growing demand for TNI participation in international peacekeeping forces. More importantly, regional tensions still simmer beneath the surface, at a time when the military balance of power is not in our favor. Read the rest of this entry »
The stoning law, wan’ni, and sharia implementations
Image source: themuslimwoman.org
by Jennie S. Bev
Bylaws in Aceh for stoning adulterers to death and 100 lashes for premarital sex should be nullified as they are not merely against human rights and unconstitutional, but perpetuate the myth of inequality and overindulge in the over-virtuousness of Islam and sharia law.
Failure to nullify them will have grave consequences in which not only will pluralism be threatened but it will engender an age of distrust and Indonesia will be thrust back into the Dark Ages. Read the rest of this entry »
Indonesia’s pivotal role in the US’s grand strategy
Image source: kesbangpapua.com
by Evan A. Laksmana
Is Indonesia rising in global politics? Many seem to think so, especially considering its democratic success story, continued economic growth and increasing global profile and influence in a wide range of issues, from human rights to trade and climate change.
Most recently, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was at the G20 Leaders Summit in Pittsburgh this week to voice not just Indonesia’s interests, but also the concerns of the Muslim world and developing nations.
Meanwhile, Indonesia’s standing in Southeast Asia also appears unshaken. In fact, when the US signed ASEAN’s Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) in late July, some speculated that the move was meant to support Indonesia’s regional role rather than to benefit the whole region. Read the rest of this entry »
Terrorism and RI’s military effectiveness
Image source: mediaindonesia.com
by Evan A. Laksmana
Following public debates about how to best tackle terrorism in Indonesia, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono recently stated that it is perfectly normal for the Indonesian Military (TNI) to engage in fighting terrorism – which was not only mandated by law, but also apparently by other countries that are doing the same thing.
Although his last point may seem bizarre to some, pundits argue that as long as proper specific regulations are issued and there is close public scrutiny, the TNI could play a role in combating terrorism.
However, these arguments overlook the potential long-term detrimental effect of fighting terrorism – which in our case is historically homegrown despite of its global links – to our military effectiveness. Read the rest of this entry »
