Rights Commission in East Timor

Rights Commission in East Timor

A new milestone in the history of the National Commission on Human Rights has been reached. A few days ago the commission's only regional branch office was set up in Dili, East Timor. No such branch office exists anywhere else, and hopefully do not need to exist.

The opening of the Dili office cannot be separated from the fact that human rights problems exist in East Timor. So far, particularly in reports circulated abroad, human rights abuses are regarded to frequently occur in East Timor. A more effective handling of the problem is therefore required.

The National Commission on Human Rights has earned itself a high degree of credibility. Although it was set up by the government, the commission has proved itself independent. This, among other things, is owing to its response to human rights infringements. The response, in turn, has been made possible by the integrity of its members, each known to be a person of character.

Establishing a commission office in East Timor has raised many hopes. Those who feel that their basic rights have been violated will find it easier to report their cases. The commission will now have eyes and ears much closer to where the violations occur. Information, therefore, might become more balanced. The world outside Indonesia will no longer get all its information from one partisan source.

-- Republika, Jakarta