Megawati's board supports rights commission's report

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)