PROMOTING HUMAN RIGHTS FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS USING ICT

Indonesia has just celebrated the 65th Independence-day on 17 August 2010. While having better progress in politic and economic growth, many people commented on the national mission of achieving the community with social welfare and justice.

A wave of people actions showed that many people do not have enough understanding about human rights. This is found not necessarily from layman but also from community leaders, politician and public figures in the government. Issues on disagreement to exhibition and art performance for homosexual while giving ‘pressures’ to women migrant workers/domestic violence victims; and there were also stigma and cynical to people living with HIV/Aids (PLHA).

I believe they have done those actions due to powerless in knowledge, attitude and practice on human rights. The biggest challenge is how to promote this into all levels of society, community and nation, despite the survival of living during financial crisis, social competition and national priorities.

The human rights cover understanding that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. That’s why in religion we have learnt to show gratitude in every aspect of live that we have or received although for a small thing day by day. The human rights, including right to health give respect, protect and fulfill people’s right to have the enjoyment of highest attainable standard of health. No body wants to have diseases, nor having malnutrition, hunger, obesity, high cholesterol, mal-nutrition even death on delivering baby. Many housewives were contaminated HIV from husbands.

A good human being while celebrating the freedom to choose for own life style through speaking, action and living; is not appreciated if ‘annoyed’ other people’s lifestyle; especially to the sick, poor and hunger people, including stigma to PLHA especially women.

The patriarchy culture implementation, including bureaucracy has directed people to keep silence for ‘mistakes’ done by the higher level officials/social status. The “boss can do no wrong” is around, even within international organizations. People tend to ‘wash their hands’, if they saw injustice done by the top to the lower ordinance; they are afraid those might give bad impact to their status. It seems people is started loosing their freedom to give voice, choice nor even forces, due to they scare of loosing something they have.
Power abuse is then become the latent ‘bomb’ that shall destroy the people welfare and justice. In this life we have to accept payoff process, thus we can not give up.

Nowadays while still using public policy forum (PPF), newspapers communication, cyber facilities, public dialogue/workshop to attract decision makers, public attention and governance; the ICT is noted as the best method regardless time, place and power restriction.

The promotion of human rights for PLHA must be kept being promoted and performed using ICT. The Pulse Wire/VOF may give tremendous impact in the future to change people perception, understanding and positive actions to help more people of the sick, poor and hunger as the best beneficiaries!