Rights issue get greater attention at APEC meeting

By Meidyatama Suryodiningrat and Ati Nurbaiti

VANCOUVER, Canada (JP): Social issues such as human rights protection are gaining unprecedented prominence, albeit still on the fringes, as leaders of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) members prepare for the start of their annual summit here today.

Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien said during a meeting with APEC top business executives Friday morning that human rights promotion is a common goal which members of the forum must strive for.

"Our common objectives must be a strong economy, strong social programs, a healthy environment and respect for human rights," Chretien said.

Later that evening, in their Joint Statement, APEC ministers referred to role of youth and gender issues.

They applauded the involvement of young people in APEC activities and noted the attention paid to gender issues, which will culminate in a meeting on women to be held in Manila next year.

Reference to such issues signifies a marked departure for the 18-member forum which usually only focuses on trade and economic issues.

It was Canada, as the current APEC chair, who put these social issues on the forum's agenda.

The Canadian government has also been sponsoring a People's Summit which has run in conjunction with the formal APEC meetings. Concluded yesterday, the gathering brought together activists and non-governmental organizations from APEC members to address various social issues.

Indonesia had been a target of criticism at the People's Summit, singled out for having a poor human rights record. Participating non-governmental organizations staged a mock tribunal on Indonesia's policy toward its 27th province, the former Portuguese colony of East Timor.

These criticisms gained much media spotlight.

On Saturday The Vancouver Sun quoted an Indonesian embassy official as saying that Indonesian participants protesting a statement of Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas had "misunderstood" the minister.

Alatas, who was quoted as saying that "action" would be taken against Indonesians joining antigovernment protests, had been referring to those joining "violent" demonstrations, the official was quoted by the daily as saying.

In a statement, the Indonesian Embassy maintained that Jakarta places "a great value on the role that non-governmental organizations have played in Indonesia's development."

"But we do not see the value in the politicizing of the development process. Many of the issues of concern to those participating in the People's Summit are matters that the government of Indonesia continues to address on a daily basis," the statement said.

The Canadian federal government has so far steered away from any direct criticism of Indonesia's human rights record during the meetings. However, the provincial government of British Columbia has been more sympathetic toward Indonesia's critics.

British Columbia Premier Glen Clark called Friday for the release of jailed East Timorese separatist leader Jose Alexandre "Xanana" Gusmao and labor leader Muchtar Pakpahan.

"I join with those calling on Mr. Soeharto to release Muchtar Pakpahan and Xanana Gusmao from prison," Clark said during a luncheon.

In addition to the daily media criticism disparaging Jakarta's human rights record, the Indonesian delegation here is bracing for a possible demonstration when the APEC forum leaders convene at the University of British Columbia campus today.

Chinese President Jiang Zemin and President Soeharto are thought to be the targets of the protest.

But police yesterday evening began to move tents set up on the campus grounds used to coordinate the anti-APEC coalition. Several students refused to go by themselves and had to be dragged away.