Human Rights and Fundamental Human Rights in Bioethics (Raboan Discussion Forum)

Improvement of Human Rights terminology which is often translated into Indonesian ‘Hak Asasi’ is very much needed. It is as said by Dr. CB Kusmaryanto SCJ, a Bioethics expert and lecturer in the Sanata Dharma University School of philosophy at the Raboan Discussion Forum organized by the Center for Bioethics and Medical Humanities (CBMH FK-KMK UGM), Wednesday (19/01). The weekly forum, which is held virtually, takes the theme of Human Rights and Human Rights Fundamentals in Bioethics. The forum is led by dr. Ouve Rahadiani Permana, M.H.Kes., M.Sc, alumni of the Bioethics Masters Study Program as moderator.

Romo Kus, Dr. CB Kusmaryanto SCJ often called, said that there is a discrepancy in the translation of Human Rights terminology commonly used in Indonesia. Generally, the terminology is translated with the phrase ‘Hak Asasi’. In fact, according to Romo Kus, the correct English word for ‘Hak Asasi’ must be Fundamental Human Rights. Romo Kus also explained that the phrase Human Rights is more accurately translated into the phrase Hak Manusiawi.

According to Romo Kus, from a grammatical point of view, the word human can be a noun or an adjective. When the word is placed in front of the word rights which is a noun, then the word human functions as an adjective.

“So, the translation of Human Rights in Indonesian should be Human Rights, while the translation of Human Rights is Fundamental Human Rights,” said Romo Kus.

Father Kus then explained the difference between the two phrases. According to Romo Kus, human rights are only a small part of fundamental human rights. Human rights are the most basic rights for humans. In this case, Romo Kus explained that the most basic right for humans is the right to life. Meanwhile, human rights are very diverse.

In the second application in the field of Bioethics, according to Romo Kus, a person’s fundamental human rights should be prioritized over his or her human rights. Violations of Human Rights become legal if they are carried out in order to defend Fundamental Human Rights, which is the right to life. Romo Kus added that respect for Fundamental Human Rights is a prima facie, meaning that if it does not conflict with Human Rights, it must be respected. But if it collides with Fundamental Human Rights, then Fundamental Human Rights must be respected.

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