Page 138 - Demo

Islam, Democracy and Human Rights in Contemporary Indonesia121further developed as a special Act on adat communities.To develop and support the capacity of adat communitiesin empowering themselves economically, socially, and politically,the strengthening of their organization is necessary. It isnecessary to push the establishment and the development ofadat community organizations through which adatcommunities can represent themselves. These organizations willbecome a basis for the strength of civil society as long as theyrun based on the principles of democracy, transparency,accountability, and respect for human rights.Participation of adat communities in the developmentprocess needs to be affirmed. The Government of Indonesianeeds to adopt a principle recognized in international forums,namely free and prior informed consent, in any policiesconcerning adat communities.In order to guarantee the availability of access in the decisionmaking process, representation of adat communities inrepresentative bodies at national and local levels needs to beincreased. It is hoped that a change in the policy regarding theparliamentary system in Indonesia can accommodate this issue.The increase in the quality of human resources is animportant precondition for the empowerment of adatcommunities. In this regard, it is necessary to develop educationand health of adat communities.Development of the economy of adat communities can becarried out through some means, including through recognitionand protection of products of agriculture, fishery, farms, andmedicines which are environmentally sound and which aredeveloped based on synergic efforts between local andappropriate means and knowledge. It is also necessary to create