Indonesia's rights image improves

Indonesia's rights image improves

From Koran Tempo

Despite the negative domestic evaluation of Indonesia's
upholding of human rights, the image in the international
community is positive. Indonesia is seen as actively promoting
rights.

The election of Indonesian Ambassador to the United Nations
(UN) Makarim Wibisono as chairman of the UN Human Rights
Commission serves as proof of this good image. He was elected on
Jan. 17 by acclamation, with no objection from commission
members.

We should be grateful for the international confidence in
Indonesia's progress in rights affairs, which is also inseparable
from the increasing democratization in this reform period.

The world's evaluation that rights cases not yet brought to
trial are leftovers from the past regime is true, but rights
abuses are not only found in countries undergoing a transition.
Even the United States is involved in torture cases in Iraq.

The important thing, however, is that all rights cases must be
processed according to the law, with proper legal settlements. If
a country's national law fails to settle rights abuse cases, the
cases must be brought to international tribunals.

AULIA LAILIL QOMARIAH
Bogor, West Java