RI to ratify international bill on human rights

Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The Indonesian government is expected soon to ratify the international bill on human rights, a move that could improve the country's image in the global community.

United Nations Human Rights Commission head Makarim Wibisono said President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono agreed to sign the bill, which consists of two covenants: the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

"The President said that Indonesia is committed to the development and protection of human rights. Therefore, he will sign the international bill on human rights," Makarim said after a meeting with Susilo.

Makarim is a senior Indonesian diplomat who was elected to the new post at the UN in January.

He said the ratification of the bill would have "huge international political meaning" by demonstrating Indonesia's commitment to developing and protecting human rights.

"Indonesia's contribution to human rights development and protection will be stronger with a political gesture from the government involving the issue," he said.

The President has instructed Minister of Justice and Human Rights Hamid Awaluddin to make preparations for the signing of the bill so it will not take long time to ratify, Makarim said.

The two covenants were established in 1966 and came into force some 10 years later. According to the United Nations website, as of mid-2004 there were 149 parties who had ratified the international covenant on economic, social and cultural rights, and 152 parties who had ratified the international covenant on civil and political rights.

Human rights activists have urged the government to sign and ratify the covenants to ensure the economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights of the people in the country.

Makarim said one of his goals as the head of the United Nations Human Rights Commission was to ensure the commission was not used to politicize human rights cases.

"Instead of humiliating certain countries and forcing them into a corner, it would be better to fix the (rights) problems," he said.

Asked whether he was referring to rights violations in East Timor, Makarim replied: "It's not only about East Timor, but other countries have experienced this as well."

"The most important thing is that there must be a remedy for any rights violations, whether they occurred in the past or now. If the remedy is accepted by the parties involved and meets international standards, then the international world will accept it as well," he said.

Only one of 18 defendants accused of gross human rights violations in East Timor in 1999 was found guilty by a human rights tribunal here, much to the anger of international critics.

The violations occurred before and after a United Nations- supervised poll in August 1999, in which the East Timorese voted to break away from Indonesia. More than 1,000 people are believed to have died in the violence.

Susilo and his East Timorese counterpart Xanana Gusmao have agreed to form a Reconciliation and Friendship Commission to deal with the violations.

However, the United Nations has proposed the establishment of a Commission of Experts to assess why a 1999 UN Security Council resolution to try those accused of crimes in East Timor failed. Susilo has phoned United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan to convey his opposition to the proposal.