Indonesia: A Step in the Right Direction

There are many people in prisons around the world who are there because do not agree with, or do not believe (in) the governments that are in place to "serve the people". In many countries, people take for granted their rights and privileges to criticize governments; they do it because they can, but more importantly, because that criticism is a powerful process which has the potential to shape more "just" and egalitarian societies.

"On July 17, 2007 Indonesia’s Constitutional Court declared unconstitutional articles 154 and 155 of Indonesia’s Criminal Code, commonly known as the “hate sowing” (Haatzai Artikelen) offenses. Articles 154 and 155 criminalized “public expression of feelings of hostility, hatred or contempt toward the government” and prohibited “the expression of such feelings or views through the public media.” The articles specified prison terms of up to seven years for violations. Left over from the Dutch colonial administration, these offenses were often used by the government to restrict peaceful criticism of the government. Political opponents, critics, students, and human rights defenders have been targeted and silenced under the laws". http://hrw.org/english/docs/2007/07/19/indone16428.htm

The Maldives- Paradise Lost?

While living in Colombo, Sri Lanka I took a short one hour flight to Male, the capital of a seemingly perfect country. The coral islands, the white sand beaches, and the turquoise waters indicated a place that is free from worry. When I visited one of the many tourist islands, I thought that this was paradise, but at the same time, it was surreal in a sense, not indicating to me the reality of the country.

The reality in fact, is a government that suppresses opposition, creates prisoners of conscience, censures the media, and disallows religious freedom. It's a paradoxical reality which needs attention drawn to it.

http://www.amnestyusa.org/By_Country/Maldives/page.do?id=1011195&n1=3&n2=30&n3=945