Court asks Fakta to drop suit

JAKARTA: The non-governmental organization Jakarta Residents Forum (Fakta) has been urged to settle a lawsuit against the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) out of court.

Central Jakarta District Court judge Andriani Nurdin told the hearing on Thursday a 22-day period would be given to both parties to negotiate.

"In accordance with Supreme Court circular No. 2/2003, which states that the judges are obliged to help in out-of-court settlement, judge Saparuddin Hasibuan has been appointed to arbitrate the dispute," she said.

Fakta has filed a lawsuit accusing Komnas HAM of double- standards in its protection of the rights of evictees. While it had stepped in to halt the evictions of Pinang Ranti residents in East Jakarta, it had done nothing for the many other residents evicted from the area.

"We just want Komnas HAM to admit their mistake and to apologize publicly," Fakta lawyer Azas Tigor Nainggolan said. --JP