RI, E. Timor set to discuss rights abuse acquittals<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The foreign ministers of Indonesia and East Timor are likely to
\ndiscuss matters related to the 1999 human rights violations in
\nEast Timor, including the possible establishment of a commission
\nof experts, when the two meet in Bali on Sunday.<\/p>\n
Foreign minister Hassan Wirayuda said that both Indonesia and
\nEast Timor rejected any such commission.<\/p>\n
\"Minister Horta (East Timorese foreign minister Ramos-Horta)
\nhimself has said that he rejects the idea of UN setting up such a
\ncommission,\" Hassan said on Friday.<\/p>\n
International human rights organizations have demanded that
\nthe United Nations create an International Commission of Experts
\nto review the work of the ad hoc Human Rights Tribunal in
\nIndonesia and the UN-established Serious Crimes process in East
\nTimor.<\/p>\n
Hassan brushed aside the idea of the UN setting up a
\ncommission, saying it was too early to react as the judicial
\nprocess concerning alleged human rights abuses in East Timor was
\nstill under way.<\/p>\n
In a separate development, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
\nspokesman Marty Natalegawa said the two ministers would mainly
\ndiscuss issues of mutual concern and human rights violations in
\nEast Timor.<\/p>\n
Marty said the possibility of the UN setting up a commission
\ncould worsen relations between Indonesia and East Timor.<\/p>\n
He said not even the Indonesian and East Timorese governments
\ncould intervene in the judicial process of the ad hoc human
\nrights tribunal.<\/p>\n
\"If we accept the UN idea, it would set a precedent that the
\nUN can place itself in a position to evaluate the judicial
\nprocess of a sovereign country,\" he said.<\/p>\n
International human rights and justice organizations recently
\nsent a letter to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan in June to
\nexpress appreciation for the plan to establish the commission of
\nexperts to hold those accountable for human rights abuses in the
\nworld's youngest state. However, to date the UN has made no
\nannouncement concerning the establishment of a commission.<\/p>\n
The issue gained currency following the acquittals of
\nIndonesian Army generals by the ad hoc human rights appellate
\ncourt.<\/p>\n
On June 29, the appeals court acquitted four military and
\npolice officers -- Maj. Gen. Adam Damiri (the former Udayana
\nMilitary commander), Col. Noer Muis, Lt. Col. Sudarwo and Sr.
\nComr. Hulman Gultom -- of gross human rights abuses linked to
\natrocities that followed the separation of East Timor from
\nIndonesia.<\/p>\n
Since then, only two of the 18 tried for the abuses have been
\nconvicted: former governor Abilio Soares and pro-Jakarta militia
\nleader Eurico Guterres, both of whom are civilian and ethnic
\nTimorese.<\/p>\n
The verdicts also drew criticism from foreign countries, such
\nas the United States and New Zealand.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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