NGO criticizes govt over rights body

JAKARTA: The presidential decree formalizing the election of 21 members of the National Commission on Human Rights is considered unlawful and too accommodating to political compromises, a non-governmental organization (NGO) lamented.

In its press statement, the Institute for People's Study and Advocacy (Elsam) said the government had violated Law No. 39/1999 on the National Commission on Human Rights which stipulates that a member of the rights body serve for a maximum of two five-year terms.

Decree No. 165/M/2002, signed by President Megawati Soekarnoputri on Aug. 31 endorses the reelection of Kusparmono Irsan and Djoko Sugianto, who have both already served their second successive term under the old regulation.

Elsam also criticized the government for its belated endorsement of the commission's new team line-up. "The two-month delay proves the government's lack of commitment to empowering the rights body." Elsam said.

The NGO expressed its concern over the people's distrust in the commission due to the lack of credibility and unlawful process of its formation. -- JP