The Existence of the Right to Books for Frontier, Outermost and Disadvantaged Regions as Part of the Right to Enjoy Education

Abstract

Existence refers to something that is real with certain characteristics. In general, the existence of the right to books is part of the right to enjoy education in the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). Countries that ratify the covenant are automatically required to provide educational needs, such as books and libraries. Specifically, Indonesia has ratified the covenant, so it is obligated to fulfill the needs for books and libraries in all regions. In addition, Indonesia should specifically fulfill the rights to books and libraries of special groups (frontier, outermost and backward regions), but in reality, the fulfillment of this right is still centered in big cities and has not touched many frontier, outermost and backward regions. This is evident as there are many activities related to books in big cities, such as the existence of libraries, printing/publishing firms, and bookstores. This research aims to affirm the existence of the right to books for frontier, outermost and disadvantaged regions and find out the extent of the relationship between the right to books and the right to enjoy education as part of human rights.

Keywords: Existence, Right to Book, Fulfillment of Human Rights.

DOI: 10.7176/JLPG/95-07

Publication date:March 31^st 2020