Kooijmans explores RI's human rights condition

Kooijmans explores RI's human rights condition

JAKARTA (JP): Dutch Foreign Minister Kooijmans met with
leading activists in Indonesia, including a number of vocal
critics of the government yesterday, to explore the human rights
condition here.

"The situation is promising," Kooijmans told reporters after a
series of meetings at the Dutch embassy.

He further conveyed his satisfaction at the growing openness
and the progressive trend in human rights shown by the
establishment of basic mechanisms of adherence, such as the
National Commission for Human Rights.

"Things can be discussed rather openly and that is always a
good basis for a human rights discussion within a country," he
said.

Kooijmans' four-day visit here was originally to escort Dutch
Prime Minister Lubbers, who had to cut-short his stay on
Wednesday due to pressing matters in the Netherlands.

The state visit marked an improvement in bilateral relations
after Indonesia's 1992 decision to cease Dutch aid, in reaction
to what Jakarta called interference in domestic affairs.

Among the most heated issue at the time was The Hague's
criticism of Jakarta's human rights abuses and the alleged abuses
in East Timor.

President Soeharto at a banquet held in Lubbers' honor on
Tuesday warned that no nation has the right to dictate to another
its own views on human rights.

Recognition

Kooijmans met separately with leaders of no less than 10 non-
governmental organizations and the newly formed National Human
Rights Commission. Sri Bintang Pamungkas, a vocal politician from
the United Development Party, was also included.

Marzuki Darusman from the Rights Commission told The Jakarta
Post that the government's recognition of the meeting was in
itself representative of the government's continuing openness.

According to Marzuki, Kooijmans holds the establishment of the
Rights Commission in high regard, particularly with its findings
on the murder of civil-rights activist Marsinah .

"The presence of the Human Rights Commission deserves the
respect of the world," he quoted Kooijmans as saying.

Marzuki further explained that Kooijmans believes that "a wind
of change" is blowing in the country, pointing to the increasing
degree of freedom in the media as an example.

Frans H. Winarta of the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute (YLBHI)
said Kooijmans agreed that outside pressure has played a
definitive role, but added that inside pressures and trends are
what's most important.

Abdul Hakim Garuda Nusantara from the Institute for the Study
of Advocacy said Kooijmans indicated human rights as a concern
for all the members of the European Union and that it will remain
an important condition in bilateral cooperation.

Marzuki concurred saying the international community has a
legitimate role to play.

"Facilitating contacts is the best venue to assure that human
rights protection and promotion is developed."

However Marzuki was quick to add that the basic efforts should
still be made by the national communities.

"I underlined to the minister that we are now already on
track ... we have gone beyond the point of no return as far as
human rights is concerned," he said.

Useless

H.J.C. Princen was more skeptical in his perception of the
meeting, going so far as to describe it as "useless."

In his opinion, the Dutch visit here overall was more of a
commercial mission than a mission on human rights.

According to Princen, Lubbers' main goal was to gain greater
access to the Indonesian market, something which he got when
Holland was invited by President Soeharto to participate in
Indonesia's development.

"The Dutch got what they wanted. They don't need to talk about
human rights," said the Dutch born Princen, who has taken
Indonesian nationality.

Marzuki recognized the large role played by economic factors
but was quick to add that human rights concerns go hand in hand
with business.

"It's impossible to merely concentrate on human rights alone,
there are many facets to our relationship," he remarked.

Despite having little faith in yesterday's meeting, Princen
still praised Kooijmans' efforts along with Minister Alatas whom
he said were "interested in the process and a good solution of
human rights."

It was Prime Minister Lubbers who seemed to spark Princen's
ire when he said, "Lubbers on the contrary is interested in the
economic process and what he can get out of it."

When confronted by reporters on the question of East Timor,
both Frans Winarta and Abdul Hakim Garuda Nusantara explained
that it was not explicitly addressed.

Earlier in the day, Kooijmans commented on the fruitfulness of
his current visit to Indonesia.

"The feeling of friendliness will be extremely noticeable."

When asked to surmise the state of bilateral relations he
said, "I feel the relationship has been improved and completely
normalized." (07/par)