Rights trial regulations 'signed before first hearing'<\/p>\n
Fabiola Desy Unidjaja and Annastashya Emmanuelle, The Jakarta Post,
\nJakarta<\/p>\n
To let the human rights trial proceed unhindered, the
\ngovernment plans to issue two regulations on witness protection,
\nalong with rehabilitation and compensation for victims of human
\nrights abuses, before the tribunal begins on March 14.<\/p>\n
Deputy Cabinet Secretary Erman Radjaguguk said on Thursday
\nthat the two regulations would be submitted to President Megawati
\nSoekarnoputri for approval shortly.<\/p>\n
\"We want to see that the two regulations take effect, so that
\nwhen the trial begins, all witnesses and victims receive equal
\ntreatment,\" Erman told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.<\/p>\n
The ad hoc tribunal was established to try 18 military, police
\nand civilian officials in connection with the atrocities which
\ntook place in East Timor after a popular vote for independence in
\nSeptember 1999.<\/p>\n
The much-awaited trial was initially supposed to start in
\nSeptember. But the government delayed the proceedings on a number
\nof occasions -- most recently last week, when the government
\nasked for more time to complete the two regulations.<\/p>\n
The regulation on witness protection obliges the state to
\nprovide witnesses and victims with protection from any physical
\nharm or psychological threats.<\/p>\n
The government regulation on the rehabilitation and
\ncompensation says that the state will pay for the hospital or any
\ntreatment needed by victims of human rights abuse.<\/p>\n
\"Of course there are certain requirements to claim the
\npayment, apart from the tolerable limits on the compensation,\" he
\ncontinued.<\/p>\n
During a cabinet meeting on Thursday, Minister for Justice and
\nHuman Rights Yusril Izha Mahendra urged the President to issue
\nthe two regulations as soon as possible to ensure the
\neffectiveness of the tribunal.<\/p>\n
Technicalities in the draft, such as the conduct of the while
\nin the witness protection program and granting the police
\nauthorization to execute the program, are among the items being
\nfinalized at the State Secretary's office.<\/p>\n
\"I told the President that we hope that the two government
\nregulations be endorsed before the trial commences,\" Yusril told
\nreporters.<\/p>\n
Yusril admitted that failure to enforce the regulations before
\nthe tribunal would hurt Indonesia's credibility in the eyes of
\nthe international community.<\/p>\n
The minister is scheduled to attend the human rights
\nconvention in Geneva at the end of this month.<\/p>\n
\"We're racing against time. I must be able to explain what is
\nbeing done in Indonesia at the Human Rights Commission
\nconvention,\" he said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/rights-trial-regulations-signed-before-first-hearing-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}