Soesilo clarifies critical comments
Soesilo clarifies critical comments
JAKARTA (JP): Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs and
Security Soesilo Soedarman backed down yesterday on his earlier
critical comments about the National Commission on Human Rights.
Soesilo sparked debate earlier this month when he publicly
alleged that the commission had overstepped its authority as a
monitoring body.
After a regular meeting with rights commission officials, he
told journalists that what the commission had done so far was
still within its jurisdiction.
"There has always been a mutual understanding between the
government and the commission and therefore the commission can
keep on with its activities," he said.
The rights commission delegation, led by Chairman Munawir
Sjadzali, and Soesilo focused on the cooperation between the two
parties in their meeting.
Founded by a presidential decree in 1993, the 25-member rights
commission has been criticized by the government for expanding
its role from only monitoring human rights situations to
involving itself in the mediation of disputes.
One of the commission's most noted accomplishments this year
was its investigation into the July 27 riots in Jakarta. Its
findings differed from the government's version of the events,
attesting to its independence and earning it national and
international credibility.
The commission's report on its findings said five people were
killed and 23 went missing in the riots, while the government
total was four dead and none missing. The government and the
commission also differed on the circumstances surrounding the
riots.
Alternative
People seeking justice have come to view the rights commission
as an alternative to the House of Representatives for dispute
resolution.
Commission chairman Munawir Sjadzali said the rights body had
never overstepped its authority as stipulated in the 1993
presidential decree.
What the commission had done so far was monitor allegations of
human rights violations, report on the results to the relevant
authorities, and issue recommendations for action, he said.
"We have never overstepped the line stipulated in the
presidential decree," he said.
Commission member A.A. Baramuli agreed regarding the
commission's major role, stressing that rights commission members
had always complied with the rules and regulations.
"Our primary task is to conduct investigation, establish a
fact-finding team, and recommend solutions to disputing parties,"
he said.
"We do not take legal action like police and government
investigators, such as preparing dossiers for legal prosecution.
We only collect data," he added. (imn/08)
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