Decree sanctions ad hoc tribunal
<p>Decree sanctions ad hoc tribunal</p><p> JAKARTA (JP): President Megawati Soekarnoputri has issued a
decree that authorizes an ad hoc court in Central Jakarta to try
those suspected of committing crimes against humanity in the 1984
Tanjungpriok and 1999 East Timor tragedies.</p><p>The ad hoc court was established in March during the
administration of former president Abdurrahman Wahid.</p><p>"The just-issued Presidential Decree No. 96/2001 gives the
court the special authority to try these cases," said Bambang
Kesowo, the Vice President's secretary, when announcing the
decree in Jakarta on Friday.</p><p>The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) has
revealed that 33 people were killed in the 1984 Tanjungpriok
incident when security authorities opened fire on protesters
demanding the release of their colleagues.</p><p>The alleged crimes against humanity in East Timor occurred
following a referendum that resulted in the independence of East
Timor from Indonesia in 1999. The high profile case implicated
top Indonesian military leaders, including Gen. Wiranto, the
former Indonesian Military chief.</p><p>Benjamin Mangkoedilaga, chairman of the team preparing the ad
hoc trial of East Timor human rights abuses, said on Monday that
the much-awaited trial would start next month.</p><p>He said that the team were in the process of selecting the
judges.</p><p>The team, which consists of Benjamin, Laica Marzuki, Said
Harahap and Rifyal Kabah, set up in July has been given three
months to prepare the trials. (dja/pan)</p>
decree that authorizes an ad hoc court in Central Jakarta to try
those suspected of committing crimes against humanity in the 1984
Tanjungpriok and 1999 East Timor tragedies.</p><p>The ad hoc court was established in March during the
administration of former president Abdurrahman Wahid.</p><p>"The just-issued Presidential Decree No. 96/2001 gives the
court the special authority to try these cases," said Bambang
Kesowo, the Vice President's secretary, when announcing the
decree in Jakarta on Friday.</p><p>The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) has
revealed that 33 people were killed in the 1984 Tanjungpriok
incident when security authorities opened fire on protesters
demanding the release of their colleagues.</p><p>The alleged crimes against humanity in East Timor occurred
following a referendum that resulted in the independence of East
Timor from Indonesia in 1999. The high profile case implicated
top Indonesian military leaders, including Gen. Wiranto, the
former Indonesian Military chief.</p><p>Benjamin Mangkoedilaga, chairman of the team preparing the ad
hoc trial of East Timor human rights abuses, said on Monday that
the much-awaited trial would start next month.</p><p>He said that the team were in the process of selecting the
judges.</p><p>The team, which consists of Benjamin, Laica Marzuki, Said
Harahap and Rifyal Kabah, set up in July has been given three
months to prepare the trials. (dja/pan)</p>