RI, E. Timor set to discuss rights abuse acquittals

RI, E. Timor set to discuss rights abuse acquittals

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The foreign ministers of Indonesia and East Timor are likely to
discuss matters related to the 1999 human rights violations in
East Timor, including the possible establishment of a commission
of experts, when the two meet in Bali on Sunday.

Foreign minister Hassan Wirayuda said that both Indonesia and
East Timor rejected any such commission.

"Minister Horta (East Timorese foreign minister Ramos-Horta)
himself has said that he rejects the idea of UN setting up such a
commission," Hassan said on Friday.

International human rights organizations have demanded that
the United Nations create an International Commission of Experts
to review the work of the ad hoc Human Rights Tribunal in
Indonesia and the UN-established Serious Crimes process in East
Timor.

Hassan brushed aside the idea of the UN setting up a
commission, saying it was too early to react as the judicial
process concerning alleged human rights abuses in East Timor was
still under way.

In a separate development, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
spokesman Marty Natalegawa said the two ministers would mainly
discuss issues of mutual concern and human rights violations in
East Timor.

Marty said the possibility of the UN setting up a commission
could worsen relations between Indonesia and East Timor.

He said not even the Indonesian and East Timorese governments
could intervene in the judicial process of the ad hoc human
rights tribunal.

"If we accept the UN idea, it would set a precedent that the
UN can place itself in a position to evaluate the judicial
process of a sovereign country," he said.

International human rights and justice organizations recently
sent a letter to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan in June to
express appreciation for the plan to establish the commission of
experts to hold those accountable for human rights abuses in the
world's youngest state. However, to date the UN has made no
announcement concerning the establishment of a commission.

The issue gained currency following the acquittals of
Indonesian Army generals by the ad hoc human rights appellate
court.

On June 29, the appeals court acquitted four military and
police officers -- Maj. Gen. Adam Damiri (the former Udayana
Military commander), Col. Noer Muis, Lt. Col. Sudarwo and Sr.
Comr. Hulman Gultom -- of gross human rights abuses linked to
atrocities that followed the separation of East Timor from
Indonesia.

Since then, only two of the 18 tried for the abuses have been
convicted: former governor Abilio Soares and pro-Jakarta militia
leader Eurico Guterres, both of whom are civilian and ethnic
Timorese.

The verdicts also drew criticism from foreign countries, such
as the United States and New Zealand.