Let’s Support LBH Jakarta
Andreas Harsono
In June 2014, I was invited to Amsterdam to join the Human Rights Watch event regarding fundraising for human rights activities. It was my first experience that I was introduced to the World Giving Index.
Charities Aid Foundation is an organization in London that has created annual research about the numbers of the charity. I was explained about every indicator and every method they have used. Basically, they calculate how much grant that was given to some organizations and individuals for charity activities. It has been more than one decade since they made annual inventions/reports.
In Amsterdam, I was not surprised knowing that the USA was a country that donated the most money and works for charity activities such as the hunger issues, flood mitigation, education and the climate crisis. European countries—except the UK, Ireland, Netherlands—were far below the USA. However, I was reminded that there’s a nation whose number of donations have been increasing and would likely overtake America quickly.
That is Indonesia!
Soon after that, Indonesia was proven to be ahead of the USA in. In 2020, Indonesia’s index of donation was at 69%, and practically at 68% in 2021. Around the world, Indonesia is in the highest position in donating money (84%) and volunteering (63%) in 2021. I am very proud of the generosity of the Indonesian people.
The problem is the distribution disparities of donations, especially to the human rights sector. The donation is mostly distributed to the religion and belief sectors and natural disaster sectors.
I actually want the donation also to be targeted to the human rights, legal aid and environmental workers. One of them is the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute (LBH Jakarta). LBH Jakarta is the pioneer of the human rights organization in Indonesia, founded in 1971 by Adnan Buyung Nasution and partners. The Governor of Jakarta at that period, Ali Sadikin–did not only legitimate LBH Jakarta, but also provided financial assistance from the government budget regularly.
Since the 1970s, LBH Jakarta has defended people whose rights have been deprived, especially from the poor, including suing Governor Ali Sadikin for land grabbing. Even though Ali Sadikin annoyed, he still supported LBH Jakarta. As a young journalist, I found it amusing knowing Ali Sadikin still financially supported LBH Jakarta even though he often received criticism and sued by LBH Jakarta. I salute Bang Ali.
Now it’s been five decades since LBH Jakarta has been running, their work is extraordinary, from suing for the privatization of clean water to land grabbing. LBH Jakarta is also persistent in fighting for freedom of religion and belief. From discrimination against the Ahmadiyya minority to the difficulty of Christian churches getting permits. LBH Jakarta also does not discriminate in defending citizens, regardless of religion or belief, sexual orientation, gender, age, ethnicity and so on.
However, LBH Jakarta are still operating in budget. Their lawyer’s salary level are concerning considering the huge workload they do. LBH Jakarta also received more financial assistance from donor organizations, especially outside Indonesia. It’s quite a shame, isn’t it? Where is the generosity of Jakartans for human rights?
I personally donate to LBH Jakarta monthly by credit card withdrawal system. Not much in number. It’s only Rp 500 thousand per month. But, it would be nice if there were at least 1,000 people who wanted to donate IDR 500 thousand per month. It means that LBH Jakarta will earn IDR 500 million every month—enough to pay the basic costs at LBH Jakarta such as salary, electricity, water and accommodations. It will be better if there are 2,000 people, 5,000 and so on. It’s also better if the nominal of donation can be more than Rp. 500 thousand, right?
Let’s together support LBH Jakarta. Let’s direct the generosity of the Indonesian people to the human rights sector as well.
Information from LBH Jakarta:
Regular donations or others can be emailed to [email protected] or call 021-3145518 or cellphone 0878-87217774
It can also be sent to an account bank in the name of LBH Jakarta: Bank BCA 3053005167, Bank BNI 0010740908, Bank BRI 033501001770306, or Bank Mandiri 1230003006741. or to paypal
