Rights body welcomes role dialog<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): In the face of criticism from the government and
\nthe military, the National Commission on Human Rights says it is
\nwilling to discuss the future of its role with authorities.<\/p>\n
The commission marked its third anniversary on Saturday amid
\nincreasing questions about the expansion of the commission's
\noriginal role from monitoring human rights situations to
\nmediating disputes. The military later joined in the chorus,
\ncalling for a redefinition of the commission's job descriptions.<\/p>\n
Founded by a presidential decree in 1993, the 25-member
\ncommission, known by its Indonesian acronym Komnas-Ham, has been
\ndrawn into helping to resolve land conflicts, labor disputes and
\nmany other issues.<\/p>\n
In spite of the criticisms, the commission has earned
\nwidespread credibility and recognition at home and abroad.<\/p>\n
The presence of Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas,
\nMinister of Manpower Abdul Latief and many foreign ambassadors at
\nSaturday's anniversary reception at the commission's small office
\nattested to its prominence.<\/p>\n
In response to criticism of the human rights commission, its
\nchairman, Munawir Sjadzali, said a redefinition of Komnas-HAM's
\nrole can be discussed at one of the commission's regular meetings
\nwith Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs and Security
\nSoesilo Soedarman.<\/p>\n
Munawir said he agreed that Komnas-Ham's powers should be
\nclearly defined.<\/p>\n
He stressed that the commission is not an alternative
\ninstitution for dispute resolution. \"People have to go to the
\npolice or the court to settle disputes,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The commission's chief task is to monitor the human rights
\nprotection and investigate alleged violations.<\/p>\n
Deputy chairman Marzuki Darusman underscored the need for a
\n\"new format\" on the commission's job descriptions to balance
\npeople's increasing demands for the commission's assistance with
\nauthorities' criticism of its expanding role.<\/p>\n
\"We need a good format of the rights commission's job
\ndescriptions in order to answer the growing challenges on human
\nrights protection in Indonesia,\" Marzuki said.<\/p>\n
He denied accusations that the commission had overstepped the
\n1993 presidential decree. The commission's duty, he said, is to
\nmonitor allegations of human rights violations, report to the
\nrelevant authorities, and issue recommendations for action.<\/p>\n
These tasks have been defined by the people who came to the
\ncommission seeking help.<\/p>\n
\"It is the people who formed the commission's format on human
\nrights protection. It is the people who gave colors to the
\ncommission's performance,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Sometimes the commission cannot avoid becoming a mediator,
\nMarzuki said, because people turn to Komnas-Ham as a last resort
\nwhen other institutions let them down.<\/p>\n
People seeking justice have come to view the commission as an
\nalternative to the House of Representatives for dispute
\nresolution.<\/p>\n
Clementino Dos Reis Amaral, a member of the commission, said
\nKomnas-Ham this year received 301 complaints on land disputes,
\n186 reports of alleged human rights violations by government
\nofficials, and 147 labor dispute cases.<\/p>\n
One of the commission's most noted accomplishment this year
\nwas its investigation into the July 27 riots in Jakarta. Its
\nfindings differed with the government's version of the events,
\nattesting to its independence and earning it international
\ncredibility.<\/p>\n
The commission said five people were killed and 23 went
\nmissing, while the government put the total at four deaths and
\nnone missing. The government and the commission also differed on
\nthe circumstances surrounding the riot.<\/p>\n
Asked whether he thought the government had taken the
\ncommission's report seriously, Marzuki said: \"I have received
\ninformation that President Soeharto is paying a special attention
\non our report on the July 27 riots.\" (imn\/amd)<\/p>\n
Praise -- Page 2<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/rights-body-welcomes-role-dialog-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }