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THE CAMPUS STABILIZATION LAW

In the past, for protests and demonstrations students could be indicted under the provisions of the Law on Assembly and Demonstration and the National Security Law. These two laws were therefore frequently used against students. However, of current concern is the Campus Stabilization Law. On 7th August 1985 the government introduced this bill in the parliament. Under pressure from various groups the government was constrained to postpone the debate on the bill to 25th August and con-

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sequently withdrew it in view of the mounting pressure from at least thirty six registered groups. It was tabled for debate in the parliament in October 1985. This bill is popularly called by the students and professors as the 'Campus Security Law' since the purpose of the bill inter alia is to punish the militant students.

The provisions of the Campus Stabilization Law are reflections of the governments' approach for resolving student agitation and disturbances at the campus. It is a desire on part of the government to curb all student activities particularly those that question or challenge its policies. One of the aims appears to be to take action against so-called leftist students thereby controlling the radical elements among the community by resorting to physical detention, torture and re-education. The students at present seem unclear as regards the mechanics and the real aim of re-education, as these have not been spelled-out clearly in the law. What is clear however is that there is to be a 'protective custody' for re-education under a 'quasi-judicial' authority called the Student Guidance Education Commission,

It is said that the re-education process will include military training, spiritual training, forced listening to lectures by pro-government professors, physical labour up to 6 months and keeping the students in isolation. Even professors who are sympathetic to the cause of the students are liable to get government's ire and punishment under the same law.

Parents of students active in the struggle are also generally supportive of the cause for democratization and of a just and participatory society. The students are not only fighting for their sectoral and academic rights but are seriously questioning and challenging the nation's socio-economic and political system.

The students because of their power to organise and mobilize have become a potent and visible threat to the establishment. Government accuses militant students of being 'revolutionaries', 'radicals' and 'communists' having no positive goals. Since all media is controlled by the government, perhaps students are the only visible power protesting against government's undemocratic activities. The press which is controlled by the government portrays it's line and rhetoric. This state of affairs necessiated on part of the students to explore alternative and progressive publication and cultural expressions which have become avenues to express the reality.