"As per the National Commission on Human Rights' (Komnas HAM's) program, we consistently improve the Human Rights-Friendly School program, including in West Kalimantan. This is also in accordance with our functions: to study, research, educate, monitor, and mediate human rights (issues)," Head of Komnas HAM- West Kalimantan Office Nelly Yusnita said in Pontianak on Thursday.
She explained that, through the program, the commission is aiming to introduce human rights indicators at schools to bring down cases of human rights violations, such as bullying, sexual violence, and intolerance, which are often reported in schools.
In keeping with this focus, the commission has started educating headmasters and teachers from 30 state and private schools in Pontianak City and Kubu Raya District on the subject, she informed.
"We offer module, guide book to creating a human rights-friendly school," Yusnita said.
Headmasters are being taught about ways to create schools that uphold human rights values, and teachers are being trained about the proper communication methods to teach students about human rights, she added.
"And currently, we are at the Training of Trainer (TOT) stage for the teachers of each school," Yusnita informed.
As part of efforts to enforce human rights, the commission is also monitoring and mediating cases of alleged human rights violations in the province, she said.
She highlighted the monitoring function as a form of study and review of incidents of alleged human rights violations.
"As per the Law about Human Rights, monitoring does not necessarily mean having to go in person, but summoning (the persons in question) to take their statement and required evidence is also a form of monitoring," she added.
Related news: ASEAN must not abandon human rights issues in region: Minister
Related news: Singkawang to host National Human Rights Festival in Oct
Translator: Rendra Oxtora, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2023
