Rights commission needed in Irian Jaya

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)