Megawati's board supports rights commission's report

JAKARTA (JP): Ousted Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) leader Megawati Soekarnoputri yesterday commended the National Commission on Human Rights for its independence, courage and correct evaluation of the July 27 riots.

In a six-point political statement Megawati, who still insists that she's the PDI's legitimate chief, expressed her executive board's respect for the rights commission because it acted objectively and placed humanistic values and the nation's interests above those of a particular group or faction.

"The rights commission has clearly shown its ability to be independent, courageous, and correct in evaluating the July 27 riots using universal measures on the basic human rights that were violated then," she said.

Megawati and her secretary general, Alexander Litaay, signed the statement.

Last week the commission issued its final report on the riots. It stated that after the takeover of the PDI headquarters in Central Jakarta, from Megawati supporters by supporters of her rival Soerjadi, riots erupted resulting in the death of five people. The rights commission said 23 are still missing.

The government had claimed only four deaths and failed to mention anything about those missing.

Basic rights

The commission also said several basic rights had been violated in the incident, including the rights to freedom of assembly and association, freedom from fear and freedom of cruel and inhuman treatment.

Megawati was ousted by Soerjadi during a government-backed congress in Medan, North Sumatra earlier this year.

Megawati's statement yesterday further cited the rights commission's recommendations. "We support the recommendations given by the commission that no other violations of human rights should be repeated in the future," read the statement.

Megawati lauded the commission for recommending the government refrain from meddling in the affairs of any parties in dispute, and from using violence.

The statement yesterday said Megawati's PDI supported the report because it was based on a vision which demanded a compliance to the rule of law. It further urged all political, government and community leaders to help realize the rights commission's recommendations. (mds)