Soesilo clarifies critical comments<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs and
\nSecurity Soesilo Soedarman backed down yesterday on his earlier
\ncritical comments about the National Commission on Human Rights.<\/p>\n
Soesilo sparked debate earlier this month when he publicly
\nalleged that the commission had overstepped its authority as a
\nmonitoring body.<\/p>\n
After a regular meeting with rights commission officials, he
\ntold journalists that what the commission had done so far was
\nstill within its jurisdiction.<\/p>\n
\"There has always been a mutual understanding between the
\ngovernment and the commission and therefore the commission can
\nkeep on with its activities,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The rights commission delegation, led by Chairman Munawir
\nSjadzali, and Soesilo focused on the cooperation between the two
\nparties in their meeting.<\/p>\n
Founded by a presidential decree in 1993, the 25-member rights
\ncommission has been criticized by the government for expanding
\nits role from only monitoring human rights situations to
\ninvolving itself in the mediation of disputes.<\/p>\n
One of the commission's most noted accomplishments this year
\nwas its investigation into the July 27 riots in Jakarta. Its
\nfindings differed from the government's version of the events,
\nattesting to its independence and earning it national and
\ninternational credibility.<\/p>\n
The commission's report on its findings said five people were
\nkilled and 23 went missing in the riots, while the government
\ntotal was four dead and none missing. The government and the
\ncommission also differed on the circumstances surrounding the
\nriots.<\/p>\n
Alternative<\/p>\n
People seeking justice have come to view the rights commission
\nas an alternative to the House of Representatives for dispute
\nresolution.<\/p>\n
Commission chairman Munawir Sjadzali said the rights body had
\nnever overstepped its authority as stipulated in the 1993
\npresidential decree.<\/p>\n
What the commission had done so far was monitor allegations of
\nhuman rights violations, report on the results to the relevant
\nauthorities, and issue recommendations for action, he said.<\/p>\n
\"We have never overstepped the line stipulated in the
\npresidential decree,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Commission member A.A. Baramuli agreed regarding the
\ncommission's major role, stressing that rights commission members
\nhad always complied with the rules and regulations.<\/p>\n
\"Our primary task is to conduct investigation, establish a
\nfact-finding team, and recommend solutions to disputing parties,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
\"We do not take legal action like police and government
\ninvestigators, such as preparing dossiers for legal prosecution.
\nWe only collect data,\" he added. (imn\/08)<\/p>\n
Riots -- Page 2<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/soesilo-clarifies-critical-comments-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }