NGO criticizes govt over rights body

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