ABC AUSTRALIA, 16/04/2004 07:09:42
Indonesia rejects accusations over East Timor prosecutions
The Indonesian government has rejected claims it's failing to prosecute those
responsible for the carnage in East Timor, following its vote for independence.
Indonesia set up an ad hoc human rights court in 2001 to investigate and judge
individuals suspected of crimes against humanity in East Timor in 1999.
Only six people have been found guilty by the court and all are free pending appeal.
Human rights groups say the court is flawed and have called for a new International
Criminal Tribunal to be established by the United Nations.
But Indonesian government spokesman, Marty Natalegawa, says Jakarta is NOT
prepared to consider the proposal.
Of course there are shortcomings in our national tribunal system. But it's not as if it's
in such a flawed state, that you want to go the international tribunal route. If, and it's a
big if, we were to go the international tribunal route - perhaps it can deliver the type of
justice that people are looking for - but what beneficial impact would that have on
democratisation in Indonesia, on democratisation in Timor Leste? Because it is as if
we are contracting out what should be our responsibility.
16/04/2004 07:09:42 | ABC Radio Australia News
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