Ad hoc trial to begin mid-March
Ad hoc trial to begin mid-March
Muninggar Sri Saraswati
The Jakarta Post
Jakarta
The much-awaited ad hoc human rights trial will begin in the
middle of this month, with or without the government regulations
on witness protection and rehabilitation and compensation for
victims of rights violations.
Judge Andi Samsan Nganro, one of the judges who will preside
over the trial of seven people charged with crimes against
humanity in East Timor in 1999, said a further delay to the trial
will further tarnish Indonesia's already sullied image in the
international community.
"What will the world say if we delay the hearing?" he asked.
The ad hoc trial was initially slated to start on Jan. 15, but
was postponed as everyone was waiting for President Megawati
Soekarnoputri to name the judges as required by the Law No.
26/2000 on human rights tribunal.
The judges were sworn in late last month. The delay sparked
suspicion that Indonesian was not serious about conducting the
trial at all.
On Wednesday, Minister of Justice and Human Rights Yusril Ihza
Mahendra asked the court to delay the first hearing since the
President had not yet signed the two supporting government
regulations.
Judge Andi said ideally the government should enforce the two
regulations before the court holds its first hearing.
"There may be some difficulties faced during the hearing in
the absence of the regulations," Andi told The Jakarta Post on
Thursday.
The court has set up three panels of judges to try the first
seven defendants.
Without the regulation for witnesses protection, Andi expected
a low turn-out from witnesses.
"Some witnesses could be afraid to testify against the
defendants because there is no guarantee of their safety. They
would probably refuse to appear before the court," Andi said.
The first group of defendants who will be brought to the human
rights court include former East Timor Governor Abilio Jose
Soares and former East Timor Police Chief GM Timbul Silaen.
The defendants are charged with genocide and crimes against
humanity, both of which carry the death penalty.
Andi urged the government to sign the law soon as another
delay in the hearing could increase suspicion among the
international community.