Megawati's board supports rights commission's report<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Ousted Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) leader
\nMegawati Soekarnoputri yesterday commended the National
\nCommission on Human Rights for its independence, courage and
\ncorrect evaluation of the July 27 riots.<\/p>\n
In a six-point political statement Megawati, who still insists
\nthat she's the PDI's legitimate chief, expressed her executive
\nboard's respect for the rights commission because it acted
\nobjectively and placed humanistic values and the nation's
\ninterests above those of a particular group or faction.<\/p>\n
"The rights commission has clearly shown its ability to be
\nindependent, courageous, and correct in evaluating the July 27
\nriots using universal measures on the basic human rights that
\nwere violated then," she said.<\/p>\n
Megawati and her secretary general, Alexander Litaay, signed
\nthe statement.<\/p>\n
Last week the commission issued its final report on the riots.
\nIt stated that after the takeover of the PDI headquarters in
\nCentral Jakarta, from Megawati supporters by supporters of her
\nrival Soerjadi, riots erupted resulting in the death of five
\npeople. The rights commission said 23 are still missing.<\/p>\n
The government had claimed only four deaths and failed to
\nmention anything about those missing.<\/p>\n
Basic rights<\/p>\n
The commission also said several basic rights had been
\nviolated in the incident, including the rights to freedom of
\nassembly and association, freedom from fear and freedom of cruel
\nand inhuman treatment.<\/p>\n
Megawati was ousted by Soerjadi during a government-backed
\ncongress in Medan, North Sumatra earlier this year.<\/p>\n
Megawati's statement yesterday further cited the rights
\ncommission's recommendations. "We support the recommendations
\ngiven by the commission that no other violations of human rights
\nshould be repeated in the future," read the statement.<\/p>\n
Megawati lauded the commission for recommending the government
\nrefrain from meddling in the affairs of any parties in dispute,
\nand from using violence.<\/p>\n
The statement yesterday said Megawati's PDI supported the
\nreport because it was based on a vision which demanded a
\ncompliance to the rule of law. It further urged all political,
\ngovernment and community leaders to help realize the rights
\ncommission's recommendations. (mds)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/megawatis-board-supports-rights-commissions-report-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}