Ad hoc trial to begin mid-March<\/p>\n
Muninggar Sri Saraswati
\nThe Jakarta Post
\nJakarta<\/p>\n
The much-awaited ad hoc human rights trial will begin in the
\nmiddle of this month, with or without the government regulations
\non witness protection and rehabilitation and compensation for
\nvictims of rights violations.<\/p>\n
Judge Andi Samsan Nganro, one of the judges who will preside
\nover the trial of seven people charged with crimes against
\nhumanity in East Timor in 1999, said a further delay to the trial
\nwill further tarnish Indonesia's already sullied image in the
\ninternational community.<\/p>\n
\"What will the world say if we delay the hearing?\" he asked.<\/p>\n
The ad hoc trial was initially slated to start on Jan. 15, but
\nwas postponed as everyone was waiting for President Megawati
\nSoekarnoputri to name the judges as required by the Law No.
\n26\/2000 on human rights tribunal.<\/p>\n
The judges were sworn in late last month. The delay sparked
\nsuspicion that Indonesian was not serious about conducting the
\ntrial at all.<\/p>\n
On Wednesday, Minister of Justice and Human Rights Yusril Ihza
\nMahendra asked the court to delay the first hearing since the
\nPresident had not yet signed the two supporting government
\nregulations.<\/p>\n
Judge Andi said ideally the government should enforce the two
\nregulations before the court holds its first hearing.<\/p>\n
\"There may be some difficulties faced during the hearing in
\nthe absence of the regulations,\" Andi told The Jakarta Post on
\nThursday.<\/p>\n
The court has set up three panels of judges to try the first
\nseven defendants.<\/p>\n
Without the regulation for witnesses protection, Andi expected
\na low turn-out from witnesses.<\/p>\n
\"Some witnesses could be afraid to testify against the
\ndefendants because there is no guarantee of their safety. They
\nwould probably refuse to appear before the court,\" Andi said.<\/p>\n
The first group of defendants who will be brought to the human
\nrights court include former East Timor Governor Abilio Jose
\nSoares and former East Timor Police Chief GM Timbul Silaen.<\/p>\n
The defendants are charged with genocide and crimes against
\nhumanity, both of which carry the death penalty.<\/p>\n
Andi urged the government to sign the law soon as another
\ndelay in the hearing could increase suspicion among the
\ninternational community.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ad-hoc-trial-to-begin-mid-march-1447899208",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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