Canada to help RI promote human rights<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien defended
\nhis policy of close ties with Indonesia yesterday, arguing that
\ncooperation, not confrontation, would help improve the human
\nrights situation here.<\/p>\n
He insisted that downgrading relations, political and
\neconomic, would obstruct attempts to correct Indonesia's human
\nrights problems.<\/p>\n
\"It is participation, to be there, to raise the issue, to help
\nthem to cope with the problem. That's the best way,\" Chretien
\ntold journalists after witnessing the signing of more than US$2
\nbillion in contracts between Indonesian and Canadian companies.<\/p>\n
Chretien is leading a 400-strong delegation, comprised mostly
\nof business executives, on a three-day visit here as part of a
\nfour-nation tour of Asian countries which include India, Pakistan
\nand Malaysia.<\/p>\n
Though the visit is primarily aimed at drumming up business,
\nChretien during his discussion with President Soeharto earlier
\nyesterday brought up the issue of human rights and East Timor.<\/p>\n
\"We discussed East Timor, we discussed human rights in
\ngeneral...It was a problem that was not avoided,\" the prime
\nminister said.<\/p>\n
Separately, Minister\/Secretary of State Moerdiono said
\nChretien and Soeharto delved into human rights issues. \"The
\npresident said Indonesia gives special attention to the
\nenforcement of human rights,\" Moerdiono said of the morning's
\nmeeting at Merdeka Palace.<\/p>\n
Canada has been one of the most vocal critics of Indonesia's
\nhuman rights record. Following the incident on Nov. 12, 1991, in
\nwhich over 50 people were killed in clashes between demonstrators
\nand security officials, Ottawa froze a number of its aid projects
\nto Indonesia.<\/p>\n
However, Chretien said that much progress has been made in the
\nfield of human rights in the past few years. \"This country is
\nopening up, the situation has improved, they have the human
\nrights commission,\" he said.<\/p>\n
In a statement, he lauded Indonesia's National Commission on
\nHuman Rights Commission and said Canada will assist the
\ncommission in its ability to promote and protect human rights.<\/p>\n
Ottawa has allocated over $220,000 for the project, which will
\ninvolve the Canadian Human Rights Commission.<\/p>\n
The assistance will include training in the monitoring of
\nhuman rights issues, education and the development of a human
\nrights study center.<\/p>\n
Later yesterday evening during a dinner reception at the State
\nPalace, President Soeharto welcomed the initiative.<\/p>\n
\"We deeply appreciate the cooperation between the two
\ncountries' human rights commissions,\" Soeharto said in his
\naddress.<\/p>\n
Chretien is scheduled to open the Canadian Education Center at
\nthe World Trade Center this morning before departing for Kuala
\nLumpur in the afternoon. (mds)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/canada-to-help-ri-promote-human-rights-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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