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