Rights body welcomes role dialog

JAKARTA (JP): In the face of criticism from the government and the military, the National Commission on Human Rights says it is willing to discuss the future of its role with authorities.

The commission marked its third anniversary on Saturday amid increasing questions about the expansion of the commission's original role from monitoring human rights situations to mediating disputes. The military later joined in the chorus, calling for a redefinition of the commission's job descriptions.

Founded by a presidential decree in 1993, the 25-member commission, known by its Indonesian acronym Komnas-Ham, has been drawn into helping to resolve land conflicts, labor disputes and many other issues.

In spite of the criticisms, the commission has earned widespread credibility and recognition at home and abroad.

The presence of Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas, Minister of Manpower Abdul Latief and many foreign ambassadors at Saturday's anniversary reception at the commission's small office attested to its prominence.

In response to criticism of the human rights commission, its chairman, Munawir Sjadzali, said a redefinition of Komnas-HAM's role can be discussed at one of the commission's regular meetings with Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs and Security Soesilo Soedarman.

Munawir said he agreed that Komnas-Ham's powers should be clearly defined.

He stressed that the commission is not an alternative institution for dispute resolution. "People have to go to the police or the court to settle disputes," he said.

The commission's chief task is to monitor the human rights protection and investigate alleged violations.

Deputy chairman Marzuki Darusman underscored the need for a "new format" on the commission's job descriptions to balance people's increasing demands for the commission's assistance with authorities' criticism of its expanding role.

"We need a good format of the rights commission's job descriptions in order to answer the growing challenges on human rights protection in Indonesia," Marzuki said.

He denied accusations that the commission had overstepped the 1993 presidential decree. The commission's duty, he said, is to monitor allegations of human rights violations, report to the relevant authorities, and issue recommendations for action.

These tasks have been defined by the people who came to the commission seeking help.

"It is the people who formed the commission's format on human rights protection. It is the people who gave colors to the commission's performance," he said.

Sometimes the commission cannot avoid becoming a mediator, Marzuki said, because people turn to Komnas-Ham as a last resort when other institutions let them down.

People seeking justice have come to view the commission as an alternative to the House of Representatives for dispute resolution.

Clementino Dos Reis Amaral, a member of the commission, said Komnas-Ham this year received 301 complaints on land disputes, 186 reports of alleged human rights violations by government officials, and 147 labor dispute cases.

One of the commission's most noted accomplishment this year was its investigation into the July 27 riots in Jakarta. Its findings differed with the government's version of the events, attesting to its independence and earning it international credibility.

The commission said five people were killed and 23 went missing, while the government put the total at four deaths and none missing. The government and the commission also differed on the circumstances surrounding the riot.

Asked whether he thought the government had taken the commission's report seriously, Marzuki said: "I have received information that President Soeharto is paying a special attention on our report on the July 27 riots." (imn/amd)

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