Although both are still young, Kemala and Karell already have six- and four-years’ experience as judges, respectively. Both are eager to deepen their understanding of human rights and are committed to teach other judges after returning to Indonesia. Their studies will be financed by scholarships from Norstip. This was possible due to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NCHR and the Centre for Training and Research at the Indonesian Supreme Court. The MoU relates to a broader cooperation between the two institutions, that addresses how judges apply human rights in the Indonesian legal system.
Why study Human Rights
Karell explains his motivation:
- Human Rights is broad. This program is in line with my future goals; I hope to become a judge at the Constitutional Court and need to understand more abstract notions of law.
Kemala tells about her short-term plan when returning to Indonesia is to teach at the judicial training centre:
- I want to convey what I’ve learned at NCHR to other judges in Indonesia who have not been so fortunate as to get this opportunity.
The Importance of Human Rights for the Indonesian Judiciary
Both judges highlight the relevance of human rights:
- Human Rights should inspirit all legal practice, both in substance and procedure, says Kemala
Karell adds:
- How to accommodate human rights is very important, thus it is relevant to learn from a country that holds human rights in such high regard.
Having spent roughly three weeks immersed in their studies at NCHR, both Kemala and Karell reflect positively on their initial experiences:
- The lectures have opened new perspectives and ways to think about human rights. We have learned about new sources of law, various interdisciplinary perspectives, how to think critically, and how to criticize human rights.