Rights commission needed in Irian Jaya

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: The local branch of the Institution for Human Rights Studies and Advocacy (IHRSTAD) demanded the government form a special team to probe human rights violations in Irian Jaya, IHRSTAD's John Rumbiak said here on Tuesday.

"The apology statement (from President Abdurrahman Wahid) is not enough," John said, adding that the remark must be followed by legal actions which bring rights violators to court.

Many rights violations have been occurring in the subdistricts of Biak, Manokwari, Mapenduma, Sorong and Timika for dozens of years, he claimed.

"Legal action is needed to gain people's trust," he said.(eba/edt)