RI to ratify international bill on human rights<\/p>\n
Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The Indonesian government is expected soon to ratify the
\ninternational bill on human rights, a move that could improve the
\ncountry's image in the global community.<\/p>\n
United Nations Human Rights Commission head Makarim Wibisono
\nsaid President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono agreed to sign the bill,
\nwhich consists of two covenants: the International Covenant on
\nEconomic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the International
\nCovenant on Civil and Political Rights.<\/p>\n
\"The President said that Indonesia is committed to the
\ndevelopment and protection of human rights. Therefore, he will
\nsign the international bill on human rights,\" Makarim said after
\na meeting with Susilo.<\/p>\n
Makarim is a senior Indonesian diplomat who was elected to the
\nnew post at the UN in January.<\/p>\n
He said the ratification of the bill would have \"huge
\ninternational political meaning\" by demonstrating Indonesia's
\ncommitment to developing and protecting human rights.<\/p>\n
\"Indonesia's contribution to human rights development and
\nprotection will be stronger with a political gesture from the
\ngovernment involving the issue,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The President has instructed Minister of Justice and Human
\nRights Hamid Awaluddin to make preparations for the signing of
\nthe bill so it will not take long time to ratify, Makarim said.<\/p>\n
The two covenants were established in 1966 and came into force
\nsome 10 years later. According to the United Nations website, as
\nof mid-2004 there were 149 parties who had ratified the
\ninternational covenant on economic, social and cultural rights,
\nand 152 parties who had ratified the international covenant on
\ncivil and political rights.<\/p>\n
Human rights activists have urged the government to sign and
\nratify the covenants to ensure the economic, social, cultural,
\ncivil and political rights of the people in the country.<\/p>\n
Makarim said one of his goals as the head of the United
\nNations Human Rights Commission was to ensure the commission was
\nnot used to politicize human rights cases.<\/p>\n
\"Instead of humiliating certain countries and forcing them
\ninto a corner, it would be better to fix the (rights) problems,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
Asked whether he was referring to rights violations in East
\nTimor, Makarim replied: \"It's not only about East Timor, but
\nother countries have experienced this as well.\"<\/p>\n
\"The most important thing is that there must be a remedy for
\nany rights violations, whether they occurred in the past or now.
\nIf the remedy is accepted by the parties involved and meets
\ninternational standards, then the international world will accept
\nit as well,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Only one of 18 defendants accused of gross human rights
\nviolations in East Timor in 1999 was found guilty by a human
\nrights tribunal here, much to the anger of international critics.<\/p>\n
The violations occurred before and after a United Nations-
\nsupervised poll in August 1999, in which the East Timorese voted
\nto break away from Indonesia. More than 1,000 people are believed
\nto have died in the violence.<\/p>\n
Susilo and his East Timorese counterpart Xanana Gusmao have
\nagreed to form a Reconciliation and Friendship Commission to deal
\nwith the violations.<\/p>\n
However, the United Nations has proposed the establishment of
\na Commission of Experts to assess why a 1999 UN Security Council
\nresolution to try those accused of crimes in East Timor failed.
\nSusilo has phoned United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan to
\nconvey his opposition to the proposal.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ri-to-ratify-international-bill-on-human-rights-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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