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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