MUI calls for rights body to be dissolved

MUI calls for rights body to be dissolved

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) called on
the government to dissolve the National Commission on Human
Rights (Komnas HAM) for failing to respond satisfactorily to
human rights violations in Maluku and North Maluku.

"The rights body and many other non-governmental organizations
have taken a discriminative stance and have used double standards
in handling human rights abuses in the country," MUI acting
chairman Amidhan said here on Tuesday.

Amidhan said the rights body had failed to address seriously
the riot in Kupang, West Nusa Tenggara, and the violence in Ambon
which began last year.

On the other hand, he said, the rights body had given priority
and a focused a great deal of attention on East Timor.

Amidhan suggested a new independent body be formed to replace
the commission. "The House of Representative should be the one to
select the independent members."

House Deputy Speaker Tosari Wijaya concurred, saying the
rights body should be replaced with a new one whose members were
more neutral.

"The government should disband the rights body because it has
not been neutral in handling human rights abuses in the country,"
he said here on Tuesday.

He said the rights body often gave the impression of being
unwilling to address human rights abuses in which the victims
were Muslims.

He further called on security personnel deployed in Maluku and
North Maluku to remain neutral and enforce the law impartially.

Tosari said the government should take strict action against
persons or groups violating the law. "It may be better for the
government to impose a military emergency in the two provinces to
end the sectarian violence."

He said while the government had taken action it was not yet
serious in resolving the conflict in Maluku. (04/rms)