Kontras wants new probe into Timor abuses

Kontras wants new probe into Timor abuses

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The Commission of Missing Persons and Victims of Violence
(KONTRAS) has urged the government to follow up the United
Nations' recommendations to reinvestigate the 1999 bloodshed in
East Timor and to bring the case to the international rights
tribunal.

Coordinator of the human rights group Usman Hamid said on
Monday that the government had never taken a clear stance on the
recommendations, although it received the report from the UN's
Commission of Experts last June.

"The Indonesian government should not perceive the report as a
form of intervention or pressure upon the country's court
system," Usman said as quoted by Antara.

To put it more objectively, he added, the Commission of
Experts had not abruptly urged the government to bring the case
to the international tribunal.

The commission has instead provided an opportunity for the
government to reopen the case, particularly the charge against
then Indonesian Military commander Gen. (ret.) Wiranto, who is
allegedly responsible for the tragedy.

"There's nothing to be afraid of. The case's reopening must be
perceived as an opportunity to restore the national legal system
and mechanism, so that the East Timor case and other similar
cases can be resolved fairly," Usman said.

In a clearly orchestrated violence that accompanied the vote
for independence in East Timor that ended Indonesia's 24-year
occupation, pro-Indonesia militia, with the alleged support of
military forces, killed over a thousand of people.

About half of East Timor's 700,000 population were forced to
flee during the bloodshed, which only ended with the arrival of
foreign peacekeeping troops.

Reacting to international pressure, Indonesian courts charged
18 people, mostly police and military officers. Twelve people
were acquitted, and five others had their sentences overturned on
appeal. An appeal in the final case against a senior pro-
Indonesia militiaman is still pending.

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan appointed the three-member
Commission of Experts to review the prosecutions and explain why
a 1999 Security Council resolution to try those responsible for
the bloodshed failed.

In its report, the three experts from India, Japan and Fiji,
said that the Indonesian ad hoc human rights tribunal did not
meet and did not respect the international standard.

The experts thus recommended that the UN secretary-general
ask the Indonesian government to file a law suit within six
months. Otherwise, the government would be instructed to allow
the international tribunal to process the case.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Yuri O. Thamrin
earlier said the Indonesian government had a clear stance on
resolving the East Timor case and was certain that reconciliation
was the best approach.

The situation has been complicated by East Timor President
Xanana Gusmao's statement that the country is no longer
interested in pursuing war crimes cases against the Indonesian
generals, saying it is more interested in improving ties with
Indonesia.

The two countries set up a Commission of Truth and Friendship
in March. Consisting of lawyers and human rights figures from
both countries, it will issue a report describing the cause of
the bloodshed, but will not recommend legal action against those
responsible.

Human rights groups, however, want the United Nations to
oversee an international tribunal like those in Rwanda and the
former Yugoslavia.

Usman said that while reconciliation is needed, it is not
enough in resolving severe cases of human rights violation.

"It's a matter of responsibility and giving justice to the
victims. Besides, despite President Gusmao's statement, the
majority of legislators in East Timor have demanded legal action
against those responsible," he said.