U.S. still concerned over rights<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A high ranking United States official said
\nyesterday that, despite some progress, his country was still
\nconcerned about freedom of expression and association in
\nIndonesia.<\/p>\n
\"While I have found reasons to be encouraged about some
\ndevelopments in these areas, unfortunately there are reasons for
\nserious concern as well,\" said John Shattuck, U.S. Assistant
\nSecretary of State for the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and
\nLabor.<\/p>\n
Speaking to journalists here yesterday, Shattuck, who is
\nvisiting Indonesia on the invitation of the National Commission
\non Human Rights, said there was a need for further improvements.<\/p>\n
\"I believe that the people of Indonesia want more progress on
\nthese matters and we strongly support that,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Shattuck has been here since April 12 on a ten-day visit in
\nwhich he has investigated the human rights situation in the
\ncountry. During his stay he has met with several officials,
\nincluding Foreign Minister Ali Alatas, Army Chief of Staff Gen.
\nHartono and Minister of Manpower Abdul Latief.<\/p>\n
He has met with representatives of the official labor union,
\nthe SPSI, and the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI). He
\nhas also met with the unrecognized rival of the SPSI, the SBSI,
\nand with the unrecognized rival of the PWI, the Alliance of
\nIndependent Journalists.<\/p>\n
During a three-day visit to East Timor, Shattuck held talks
\nwith Catholic Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo and with regional
\nmilitary commander Col. Kiki Syahnakri.<\/p>\n
Press<\/p>\n
Shattuck argued strongly that freedom of expression and
\nfreedom of the press were basic elements in society and said
\ntheir presence was a key factor in economic development.<\/p>\n
\"We are concerned about recent restrictions on the press and
\nthose who seek to write or speak without censorship,\" he said.<\/p>\n
On June 21, 1994, the government revoked the licenses of three
\npublications -- Tempo, Editor and DeTik -- citing administrative
\nand editorial reasons.<\/p>\n
Shattuck said that the official justification given for the
\nJune closures was \"very inconsistent with a broad commitment to
\ninternational standards of freedom of expression.\"<\/p>\n
On the issue of East Timor, Shattuck urged the government to
\nallow a greater degree of freedom to the people there.<\/p>\n
\"We encourage the government to give the people of East Timor
\nmore influence over their own affairs,\" he said, adding that
\nthere was a need to reduce the number of troops stationed in the
\nprovince.<\/p>\n
He said the United States regretted the Liquisa incident last
\nJanuary in which several civilians were killed by security
\nforces.<\/p>\n
\"I am convinced of the need for full accountability for human
\nrights abuses that occurred in Liquisa and other places in East
\nTimor earlier this year,\" he said.<\/p>\n
According to Shattuck, \"there are certainly a number of
\nexamples of human rights abuses in the early part of this year.\"<\/p>\n
Shattuck said that in meetings with government officials he
\nhad received assurances that those human rights abuses were being
\ninvestigated but said he could not comment on the scope of the
\ninvestigation because \"I'm not privy to the details.\"<\/p>\n
While complimenting the government on its minimum wage policy,
\nShattuck said there was a need for workers to have the right to
\nassociate freely and for \"the activities of workers'
\norganizations to be free from military intervention.\"<\/p>\n
Although it is not illegal to form labor unions in Indonesia,
\nonly one association, the SPSI, is recognized by the government.<\/p>\n
Shattuck praised the National Commission of Human Rights
\nwhich, he said, had \"gotten off to a good start.\"<\/p>\n
\"We anticipate that the Commission will play a critical role
\nin ensuring accountability for official actions, particularly,
\nbut not only, in East Timor,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Relations between Indonesia and the U.S. continue to be
\nsomewhat strained because Washington has persisted in
\nscrutinizing Jakarta's human rights record.<\/p>\n
Citing human rights violations, the U.S. Congress has
\nsuspended both a military training program and the sale, to
\nIndonesia by Jordan, of U.S.-built jetfighters.<\/p>\n
Washington has also threatened to suspend Indonesia's export
\nprivileges under the Generalized System of Preferences unless
\nthere are improvements in the labor rights situation.<\/p>\n
Jakarta has thus far brushed aside U.S. criticisms as
\nunacceptable interference in Indonesia's domestic affairs.(mds)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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