There must be a reflection of a balanced manner in human rights developed in Indonesia. The protection of human rights should include elements of body and soul in a balanced manner. Likewise, the protection of human rights for individual interests and social interests must be balanced. Do not let people comprehend the concept of human rights as extremely individualistic or otherwise too socialistic.
Dr. Ahmad Zubaidi, M.Si, stated this point at the Open Senate Meeting of the 53rd Anniversary of the Faculty of Philosophy in the Unity Meeting Room, 3rd Floor, Notonegoro Building, Faculty of Philosophy UGM on Tuesday (18/8).
The lecturer in Western Philosophy delivered a scientific speech entitled “The Relevance of John Locke’s Political Philosophy with Human Rights in Indonesia.”
Zubaidi first mentioned that John Locke was a philosopher who laid the foundations for democracy and human rights. “According to Locke, a state with its constitution was created to protect its people’s rights, namely the right to life, freedom, and property rights. These rights underlie human rights today,” he said.
However, Zubaidi said there were at least four weaknesses in Locke’s thinking about the state and rights. These points are too individualistic, secular, materialistic, and siding with the elite.
In fact, according to Zubaidi, these thoughts, especially regarding human rights, were debated at the BPUPKI session because many people consider it as ideas of western thinkers who are liberalism and individualism. However, in the end, it was still included that the people’s rights in the law were still needed so that Indonesia would not become a power state.
Finally, Zubaidi said that the Indonesian nation could take the universal idea from Locke without following individualistic liberalism. When the values of human rights and democracy are adopted into the Indonesian constitution, their implementation should not be deceived in their original ideology.
“The sovereignty of the typical Western people is based on absolute individual freedom or is based on individual principles. Meanwhile, the sovereignty of the Indonesian people is based on a sense of togetherness, such as a large family. The sense should carry the principles of mutualism, collectivism, or ukhuwah. Using this sense of togetherness, the Indonesian can live in the principle of kinship or brotherhood. Therefore, people must be careful in applying human rights and democracy to avoid the individualistic Western mindset,” he concluded.
Author: Hakam
Translator: Natasa A