Kooijmans explores RI's human rights condition<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Dutch Foreign Minister Kooijmans met with
\nleading activists in Indonesia, including a number of vocal
\ncritics of the government yesterday, to explore the human rights
\ncondition here.<\/p>\n
"The situation is promising," Kooijmans told reporters after a
\nseries of meetings at the Dutch embassy.<\/p>\n
He further conveyed his satisfaction at the growing openness
\nand the progressive trend in human rights shown by the
\nestablishment of basic mechanisms of adherence, such as the
\nNational Commission for Human Rights.<\/p>\n
"Things can be discussed rather openly and that is always a
\ngood basis for a human rights discussion within a country," he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Kooijmans' four-day visit here was originally to escort Dutch
\nPrime Minister Lubbers, who had to cut-short his stay on
\nWednesday due to pressing matters in the Netherlands.<\/p>\n
The state visit marked an improvement in bilateral relations
\nafter Indonesia's 1992 decision to cease Dutch aid, in reaction
\nto what Jakarta called interference in domestic affairs.<\/p>\n
Among the most heated issue at the time was The Hague's
\ncriticism of Jakarta's human rights abuses and the alleged abuses
\nin East Timor.<\/p>\n
President Soeharto at a banquet held in Lubbers' honor on
\nTuesday warned that no nation has the right to dictate to another
\nits own views on human rights.<\/p>\n
Recognition<\/p>\n
Kooijmans met separately with leaders of no less than 10 non-
\ngovernmental organizations and the newly formed National Human
\nRights Commission. Sri Bintang Pamungkas, a vocal politician from
\nthe United Development Party, was also included.<\/p>\n
Marzuki Darusman from the Rights Commission told The Jakarta
\nPost that the government's recognition of the meeting was in
\nitself representative of the government's continuing openness.<\/p>\n
According to Marzuki, Kooijmans holds the establishment of the
\nRights Commission in high regard, particularly with its findings
\non the murder of civil-rights activist Marsinah .<\/p>\n
"The presence of the Human Rights Commission deserves the
\nrespect of the world," he quoted Kooijmans as saying.<\/p>\n
Marzuki further explained that Kooijmans believes that "a wind
\nof change" is blowing in the country, pointing to the increasing
\ndegree of freedom in the media as an example.<\/p>\n
Frans H. Winarta of the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute (YLBHI)
\nsaid Kooijmans agreed that outside pressure has played a
\ndefinitive role, but added that inside pressures and trends are
\nwhat's most important.<\/p>\n
Abdul Hakim Garuda Nusantara from the Institute for the Study
\nof Advocacy said Kooijmans indicated human rights as a concern
\nfor all the members of the European Union and that it will remain
\nan important condition in bilateral cooperation.<\/p>\n
Marzuki concurred saying the international community has a
\nlegitimate role to play.<\/p>\n
"Facilitating contacts is the best venue to assure that human
\nrights protection and promotion is developed."<\/p>\n
However Marzuki was quick to add that the basic efforts should
\nstill be made by the national communities.<\/p>\n
"I underlined to the minister that we are now already on
\ntrack ... we have gone beyond the point of no return as far as
\nhuman rights is concerned," he said.<\/p>\n
Useless<\/p>\n
H.J.C. Princen was more skeptical in his perception of the
\nmeeting, going so far as to describe it as "useless."<\/p>\n
In his opinion, the Dutch visit here overall was more of a
\ncommercial mission than a mission on human rights.<\/p>\n
According to Princen, Lubbers' main goal was to gain greater
\naccess to the Indonesian market, something which he got when
\nHolland was invited by President Soeharto to participate in
\nIndonesia's development.<\/p>\n
"The Dutch got what they wanted. They don't need to talk about
\nhuman rights," said the Dutch born Princen, who has taken
\nIndonesian nationality.<\/p>\n
Marzuki recognized the large role played by economic factors
\nbut was quick to add that human rights concerns go hand in hand
\nwith business.<\/p>\n
"It's impossible to merely concentrate on human rights alone,
\nthere are many facets to our relationship," he remarked.<\/p>\n
Despite having little faith in yesterday's meeting, Princen
\nstill praised Kooijmans' efforts along with Minister Alatas whom
\nhe said were "interested in the process and a good solution of
\nhuman rights."<\/p>\n
It was Prime Minister Lubbers who seemed to spark Princen's
\nire when he said, "Lubbers on the contrary is interested in the
\neconomic process and what he can get out of it."<\/p>\n
When confronted by reporters on the question of East Timor,
\nboth Frans Winarta and Abdul Hakim Garuda Nusantara explained
\nthat it was not explicitly addressed.<\/p>\n
Earlier in the day, Kooijmans commented on the fruitfulness of
\nhis current visit to Indonesia.<\/p>\n
"The feeling of friendliness will be extremely noticeable."<\/p>\n
When asked to surmise the state of bilateral relations he
\nsaid, "I feel the relationship has been improved and completely
\nnormalized." (07\/par)<\/p>",
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