In Indonesia, as in other parts of the world, people with HIV/AIDS are stigmatized and often discriminated against. To lead the global fight against human rights violations that surround people with HIV/AIDS, Indonesia must first have a strong and strategic national AIDS policy to address the epidemic and at the same time implement actions to overcome stigmatization and discrimination. Indonesia, through the National AIDS Commission, has a three-year National Strategic Plan that ends in 2010. Therefore it is important to learn from past experience and synthesize a more effective response in future plans. The next national AIDS policy must promote human rights and public health efforts rather than undermining them. Bad policy will lead to bad laws that will further marginalize key groups such as sex workers and people who self-inject drugs.

LBH Masyarakat welcomes you to the second edition of CAVEAT, our monthly report analyzing human rights in Indonesia. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all our readers who expressed their enthusiasm and support for the first edition in June. The feedback we received was positive, valuable and constructive. We appreciate your comments and welcome any thoughts about this current edition. Similar to the inaugural edition, this month’s CAVEAT consists of one main report, an additional feature and one opinion piece. With Indonesia holding its second-ever direct presidential election on July 8, the main report will look at what human right issues need to be addressed by the incumbent President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in his second-five tenure. We will outline which issues were not resolved in the last 5 years and address forthcoming challenges for the future government. The key hurdles facing the government in terms of human rights legislation is also examined in this part. Whether or not the government can offer a more practical solution to human rights issues, rather than simply rhetoric, is a key underlying message in this report.

Indonesia’s legal system is still influenced by that of the Dutch, who colonized the country for more than three centuries. The civil code, commercial law and penal code are all legacies of the Dutch colonial government. Drafted 100 years ago, many provisions enshrined in the laws are no longer relevant in present-day society.

July 23 is National Children’s Day in Indonesia, set up to remind people that children’s rights must be respected, protected and fulfilled; otherwise the future generation is likely to be blighted. Sadly, many Indonesians were shocked this month by the prosecution of children in a case which has come to be known as the case of the ten shoe-shiners.

State electricity company Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) has finally postponed its plan to build a nuclear power plant, as indicated by the plan's exclusion from the company's Electricity Procurement Business Plans (RUPTL) outlined for up to 2018 (The Jakarta Post, June 16, 2009). Many people, especially those living near the site of the proposed plant, will certainly welcome this decision. In contrast, proponents of nuclear energy might argue that the decision is the result of baseless and irrational fear. These diverging attitudes towards nuclear energy are nevertheless common in every country.