UN urges Indonesia to judge E. Timor killers

UN urges Indonesia to judge E. Timor killers

GENEVA (Reuters): The United Nations urged Indonesia on Friday to bring those responsible for bloodshed in East Timor to justice and rein in militias intimidating refugees still in camps.

The UN Commission on Human Rights also called for completion of the voluntary repatriation of refugees from the camps in Indonesia's West Timor so they can register to vote in East Timor's first elections set for Aug. 30.

The "chairman's statement", a milder form of rebuke than a resolution, was adopted by consensus by the 53-member forum after being negotiated with Indonesia's delegation.

The Commission took note of efforts by Indonesia's Attorney General to investigate fully violations perpetrated in East Timor and a recent parliamentary proposal to set up an ad-hoc human rights court to try suspects.

It urged Indonesia to establish the court without delay "and to bring to justice those responsible for violations of human rights and humanitarian law abuses in East Timor".

"The Commission will continue to monitor closely developments and in their light consider whether further action would be required," it added.