Chairman of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Indonesia (MK-RI) Dr. Anwar Usman, S.H., M.H. attended the University of Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS) Tuesday (8/10/2019). His arrival was in order to open the Mood Court activity or the national-level Moot Court Competition which was held by the Constitutional Court on Wednesday (9/10/2019).
The National Seminar was the opening agenda for the Competition. This seminar raised a topic ‘Constitutional Criminal Imposition for Hate Speech Perpetrators’. It was attended by around 300 participants, both lecturers and students. This seminar presents speakers from national figures and legal experts, such as Prof. Dr. Moh. Mahfud MD. Former Chairman of the Constitutional Court Period 2008–2013, Prof. Dr. Aidul Fitriciada Azhari, S.H., M. Hum. former Chairman of the Judicial Commission who is also a professor of Legal Studies at UMS, Dr. Syaiful Bakhri, S.H., M.H. The Chancellor of the University of Muhammadiyah Jakarta (UMJ) and Arteria Dahlan, S.T., S.H., M.H. Commission III of the DPR-RI.
Anwar Usman, in his speech said such topics are relevant to be discussed. Because the punishment of hate speech is often associated with freedom of expression.
“This topic is certainly very relevant to the current conditions. Because the punishment of hate speech is often associated with freedom of expression and opinion in public. Whereas what needs to be understood essentially is that every right that is attached to a person must also have obligations that must be fulfilled,” he explained.
Therefore, the 6th Chief Justice of the Indonesian Constitutional Court said the need for knowledge and understanding of the limits of rights and obligations that must be fulfilled by every citizen.
“Therefore, understanding the essence of rights must also be accompanied by knowledge and understanding of the limits of rights and obligations that must be fulfilled,” continued Anwar Usman.
On the opposite side, the punishment of the perpetrators of hate speech must also comply with appropriate legal signs or have the nuances of protecting the constitutional rights of citizens. “So that with the application of such a law, law enforcement officials are not accused of silencing or violating the constitutional rights of citizens.”
In addition, Anwar Usman also believes that the Motu Court Competition, which is routinely held every year, is a place for student learning, especially law faculty students.
“The MK’s Moot Court, which is held every year, in collaboration with all universities in Indonesia, is a learning platform for students, especially law school students, so that after the study period they can directly engage and contribute to the wider community”. he concluded.
As is known, UMS was entrusted with being the host for the central region round, followed by 12 selected universities, including UMS, University of Indonesia (UI), University of Lampung (UNLAM), University of North Sumatra (USU), IAIN Surakarta, UIN Sunan Kalijaga. , IAIN Walisongo, Diponegoro University, State University of Semarang, University of Muhammadiyah Malang, Mulawarman University and General Sudirman University.