Rights body welcomes role dialog

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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