Attention to Person With Disability

Jakarta | badilag.net
English Meeting Club (EMC) belongs to the Directorate General of the Religious Courts held a discussion on access to justice for people with disabilities, Tuesday (31/1/2012). The Club invited a justice of the Supreme Court, the Hon. Syamsul Ma’arif, SH, LLM, Ph.D and Nicola Colbran, the program director of Australia-Indonesia Partnership for Justice (AIPJ) as the speakers in that discussion.

The discussion was attended by more than 50 members consisting of judges from the first courts and the appeal. It was the ninth meeting held by Badilag.

Public Trust

In his presentation, the Hon. Syamsul Ma’arif mentioned some obstacles faced by people in getting access to courts. They include formalistic of law, high cost, abundant law and insufficient information.

According to him, the obstacles will bring about the decrease of public trust toward courts. The demonstration of labors which happened in a toll was an example. They did not bring their problem to courts whereas they boycotted.

“It clearly indicates that they do not trust to courts,” he said.

If you are person with disability

Nicola Colbran asked participants to close their eyes. She also asked them to think what the most important in their life was. Participants were asked to imagine that they were suddenly injured because of an accident. The accident caused a disable of a part of body.

“I believe you could imagine that the situation changes. You need a wheel chair to go to somewhere. If the accident caused damage to your eyes you will need assistance from other when you want to cross a street,” she said.

By her short role play, she wanted all participants could feel what people with disabilities felt.

Nicola found that many people did not pay enough attention to person with disabilities in Indonesia. They suffered from discrimination. Public facilities do not meet their need.

“Not all offices provide special rest room for them. There is still less ramp provided,’ she said.

Nicola had ever conveyed some important recommendation to Wahyu Widiana, the Director General of the Religious Courts regarding this matter.  She got a positive response from him.

There are many Religious Courts providing ramps to meet the need of person with disabilities.

The Directorate General of the Religious Courts will issue a Circular Letter in order all Religious Courts to provide some facilities for person with disabilities.
(Rahmat Arijaya)