Canadian minister praises human rights commission
Canadian minister praises human rights commission
JAKARTA (JP): Canadian Secretary of State for Asia-Pacific
Affairs, Raymond Chan, yesterday praised Jakarta's move to
establish the National Commission for Human Rights, but also
noted that Indonesia could improve its handling of East Timor
issues.
"In general terms we feel that Indonesia could have made some
improvement in dealing with the East Timor issues," Chan said
after meeting with Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali
Alatas yesterday.
Chan, who arrived Monday night for a four-day visit, did not
elaborate on his remark but confirmed that the East Timor issue
was discussed.
Canada was one of the first of a few Western countries to
briefly freeze financial aid to Indonesia in reaction to the 1991
Dili incident in which over 50 civilians were killed in a clash
between demonstrators and security forces.
The former Portuguese colony of East Timor was integrated as
part of Indonesia in 1976. However, the United Nations still
recognizes Lisbon as the administrating power there.
On the issue of human rights, Chan commended the creation and
work of the National Commission for Human Rights.
"I think Indonesia has made great advances in establishing the
human rights commission," he said of the 25-person commission
established in 1993.
"The human rights commission has achieved a lot beyond our
expectation," he added as he left the foreign ministry building
to have lunch with members of the Commission.
Apart from discussing bilateral issues, Chan revealed that the
major objective of his trip to Indonesia was to prepare a planned
visit by the Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien early next
year.
Chretien last visited Indonesian in November to attend the
Asia Pacific Economic Leaders meeting.
While in Jakarta, Chan is scheduled to sign a project on
pensions, insurance and non-tax revenues with Minister of Finance
Mar'ie Muhammad.
Chan will also tour the National Atomic Agency and take a one-
day trip to Surabaya.(mds)