Soeharto's rights guaranteed, even if conficted: Baharuddin

JAKARTA (JP): Former secretary general of the National Commission on Human Rights, Baharuddin Lopa, said Tuesday that the rights of former president Soeharto were guaranteed during investigations into alleged corruption, collusion and nepotism.

Antara reported that during a dialog on law in Jambi, Soeharto was still entitled to protection of his rights even though the investigations could prove him guilty.

"The National Commission on Human Rights would guarantee the protection of civil rights for Soeharto if he is proven guilty in investigations by the Attorney General or by a court ruling.

In this reform era, Baharuddin said Indonesians are increasingly upholding human rights and democracy, the consequence being that everybody was entitled to legal protection.

Following the questioning of Soeharto last Wednesday, the Attorney General's Office said investigations had yet to start.

"I see that the questioning by the Attorney General's Office is already heading towards investigation," Baharuddin said.

In Jakarta, spokesman for the Attorney General's office Barman Zahir said former minister of finance Mar'ie Muhammad and former vice secretary to the cabinet Bambang Kesowo would be questioned this week.

Baharuddin voiced disagreement with demands of some students that Soeharto be brought to a "people's trial." "It would make things even worse, and such an institution violates the law," he said. He urged that the Attorney General's Office immediately back up their investigation with evidence related to charges of corruption, collusion and nepotism conducted by Soeharto, and other law violating measures during his 32 years in power.

If such evidence was found, he said, Soeharto would be brought to trial in line with public demand.

He also said criticism of Soeharto was natural given the "buried grievances" of the public during the former president's 32 years in power, "but he also should be respected, given his contributions, and his old age," Baharuddin said.

The agency also reported from Denpasar, Bali, that hundreds of students of Denpasar's Pendidikan Nasional (National Education) University rallied in front of the Provincial Prosecutor's Office. "We question the attorney general's steps so far which have lacked transparency in the investigation of Soeharto," spokesman I.B. Asta Wibawa told the deputy head of the Provincial Prosecutor's Office Ngurah Arya Asmara.

They also demanded a thorough investigation into the Semanggi tragedy. Student clashes of Nov. 12 and Nov. 13 in Jakarta claimed 16 lives including those of nine students.

They also appealed to the authorities to ensure that riots such as the one in Buleleng which killed three people on Friday would be the last. Before the rally students first prayed together for an end to violence in the country. (anr)