Rights body assigns 7 officials

JAYAPURA, Papua: Head of the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM), Abdul Hakim Garuda Nusantara, appointed seven representatives for Papua province here on Monday.

The seven new members who will serve a three-year term from 2005 to 2008, are Reverend Freddy Toam, Friets Ramandey, Abina Wasanggai, Albert Rumbekwan, Sandra Mambrasar, Juhari and Yance Waropen. The commission will be funded from the provincial and state budgets.

Abdul Hakim said Law No. 29/1999, Article 79 Paragraph 4, enabled Komnas HAM to set up a representative office in the province to provide services to the public and settle human rights problems previously handled at the central level.

"Through decentralization, we hope that the local human rights problems can be resolved based on the local culture and customs," said Abdul Hakim. --JP