RI rejects int'l tribunal for E. Timor human rights abuses
RI rejects int'l tribunal for E. Timor human rights abuses
Adianto P. Simamora, Jakarta
The government has brushed off calls by the international
community, including the United States and New Zealand, for an
international tribunal to prosecute Indonesian Military officers
accused of human rights abuses during the bloody 1999 vote in
East Timor.
"We completely reject the idea of an international court's
involvement in the East Timor case," foreign ministry spokesman
Marty Natalegawa told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.
He said the government would keep on seeking justice in the
East Timor case, through Indonesia's legal system. Indonesia's
position is supported by East Timor.
On July 29, Indonesia's ad hoc human rights court acquitted
four military and police officers -- Maj. Gen. Adam Damiri (the
former Udayana military commander) Col. Noer Muis, Lt.Col.
Sujarwo and Sr. Comr. Hulman Gultom -- who were convicted over
atrocities in East Timor
East Timor Foreign Minister Ramos Horta warned on Monday that
the call to push for an international tribunal would undermine
existing relations between the two countries.
New Zealand Foreign Minister Phil Goff appealed on Monday to
the international community and the United Nations to set up an
international tribunal for East Timor.
Goff's view was also shared by Adam Ereli, deputy spokesman of
the U.S. State Department, who said that the overall trial
process was flawed and lacked credibility.
Adam Damiri -- the most senior military officer to face trial
for bloodshed during the independence vote -- had been sentenced
to three years in prison, but remained free pending his appeal.
As a result of the latest court decision, only two of 18
defendants have been convicted: former East Timor governor Abilio
Soares and pro-Jakarta militia leader Eurico Guterres, both of
whom are civilians and ethnic Timorese.
Marty said the Indonesian government would continue to "share"
with the international community various efforts taken by
Indonesia to ensure that the country upheld human rights. He also
guaranteed the independence of the country's judicial process.
The Ad Hoc Human Rights Tribunals Law was passed in 2000,
following international pressure on Indonesia to take action over
various alleged human rights abuses, including those in East
Timor.