ICRC help protect and safeguard detainees' rights<\/p>\n
DILI, East Timor (JP): A woman once came to the ICRC office
\nhere to report that her relative was missing and she believed he
\nhad been detained.<\/p>\n
The ICRC delegate directed her to first inquire at the local
\nmilitary post. She did so and found an officer who kindly
\nexplained the reason for her relative's detention and provided a
\nwritten verification of his well-being.<\/p>\n
This true story, recounted by Juerg Frey, head of the ICRC
\noffice in East Timor, typifies the dual roles of the ICRC in East
\nTimor.<\/p>\n
As a guardian of international humanitarian law, the ICRC is
\nbound to protect and safeguard the rights of the detained.<\/p>\n
Yet it must also strive to promote universal concepts of
\nhumanitarianism through dissemination of information to the
\nsecurity authorities.<\/p>\n
Neither is an easy task.<\/p>\n
There are continuing misperceptions about its role. While it
\nreceives plenty of genuine complaints, the ICRC must also deal
\nwith misguided requests for assistance, including those for
\neconomic support.<\/p>\n
And while relations with the security authorities may be good,
\nthe reiteration of humanitarian concepts to them is an unending
\ntask.<\/p>\n
The mainstay of the ICRC's activities revolves around checking
\non reports of missing people and visits to security detainees.<\/p>\n
With detainees, it deals with any person arrested in
\nconnection with internal strife and makes no distinction between
\nbystanders or combatants.<\/p>\n
In 1995 the ICRC delegation visited at least 166 East Timorese
\ndetainees in 19 detention centers.<\/p>\n
The ICRC checks the condition and treatment of the detainees
\nduring the visits. Three main prerequisites must be given to them
\nin conducting these checks; free access to detainees, interviews
\nwithout the presence of a witness and the possibility of future
\nmonitoring.<\/p>\n
Frey explained that ICRC delegates conduct constructive dialog
\nwith the authorities to ameliorate the conditions of detention.<\/p>\n
He said the main task was to \"create conditions that are
\nhelpful to victims\".<\/p>\n
This begs the question why these duties cannot be handled by
\ncomparable Indonesian authorities.<\/p>\n
The answer probably lies in public trust and the perception of
\nneutrality. The ICRC adheres to strict discretion -- its
\nconfidential reports are handed directly to authorities and
\nfindings rarely divulged to the public.<\/p>\n
The ICRC uses the reports to urge corrective measures on its
\nfindings of misconduct.<\/p>\n
This approach builds trust and the authorities are confident
\nthat the ICRC is not out to smear them.<\/p>\n
The ICRC, as a private organization removed from any
\ngovernment or vested interest except the protection of
\nhumanitarian law, bears the credence it needs to conduct its
\nduties.<\/p>\n
It has won over the public's trust to such an extent that the
\ndeputy military commander of the province, Col. Soekotjo HS,
\nremarked in a tone of near lament that people seem to prefer
\ntaking their complaints to the ICRC instead of available avenues
\nin the authorities.<\/p>\n
\"People apparently feel that they can complain to foreigners,\"
\nhe said. \"If the ICRC consisted of our people no one would come
\nup and talk. Maybe they figure the ICRC can inquire further if
\nthey think I'm lying.\"<\/p>\n
\"On the other hand, I also feel that people here are not fully
\ninformed, and treat the ICRC as a dentist who can cure
\neverything. They think anything can be resolved by the ICRC.\"<\/p>\n
He also voiced concerns about the issues brought before the
\norganization. \"I'm sure that those going to the ICRC have a
\nlegitimate problem. The only question is whether that problem is
\nreally that grave.\"<\/p>\n
Nevertheless Soekotjo does see a personal benefit in having
\nthe ICRC account for felonious accusations lodged against the
\nmilitary. \"Better to have them respond than us have to
\ncontinually say no, no, no, it's untrue... it gives me a
\nheadache.\"<\/p>\n
While maintaining that cooperation with the ICRC was much
\nappreciated and that its activities had not stepped beyond its
\nmandate, Soekotjo hinted that their current presence might not be
\nas vital as it appears to be.<\/p>\n
\"If they're here that's good. But if they weren't, I'm already
\ndoing their job,\" he said, adding that many health projects of
\nthe ICRC are currently being undertaken by local health
\nauthorities.<\/p>\n
While it cannot resolve the problems of East Timor, the ICRC
\ncan play a significant role in creating an atmosphere of trust
\nand leniency.<\/p>\n
The mere act of forging a dialog between the security forces
\nand the general population is of benefit.<\/p>\n
The fact that ICRC delegates always direct claimants to check
\nfirst with police and military posts about their queries helps in
\neradicating the aura of fear some feel when dealing with security
\nofficers.<\/p>\n
\"The aim is to try to encourage dialog with people in the
\nfield... since sometimes we can do much, then we help them set up
\nthe meeting,\" Frey said.<\/p>\n
The most essential prerequisite of being an ICRC delegate is
\nprobably to be able to juggle the different hats of the
\nconsummate diplomat. They must be personally trusted by the
\npeople but also be able to negotiate and be considered a peer by
\nthe authorities. These demands explain the amiable qualities of
\nthe five ICRC delegates at the Dili office.<\/p>\n
Aside from the hazards of their daily activities, delegates
\nmust often contend with the problems of an alien culture.<\/p>\n
Frey, who has been in Dili for 10 months, admits the different
\napproach to interpersonal relationships sometimes makes it
\ndifficult to understand the true nature of complaints or queries.
\n\"People here are always polite,\" he remarked. (mds)<\/p>",
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