The Jakarta Post, May, 24 2002
Indonesia to snub European offer on rights abuse probe
May, 24 2002
Annastashya Emmanuelle and Oktovianus Pinontoan, The Jakarta Post,
Jakarta/Ambon
The Indonesian government is set to formally reject the European Parliament's
suggestion to invite a United Nations investigating team to probe human rights abuses
in the country's conflict areas.
Although the government has yet to receive formal notification from the European
Parliament, Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs, Susilo Bambang
Yudhoyono, said on Thursday, the government would strongly reject any foreign move
to meddle in domestic affairs.
"We appreciate the attention, but it would not be suitable to let our domestic policies
be dictated," he said, after attending a Cabinet meeting chaired by President
Megawati Soekarnoputri.
The government is in the process of investigating human rights abuses in conflict
areas. An international fact-finding team, therefore, would be unnecessary, he said.
Following their meeting in Strasbourg, France, last week, 13 members of the
European Parliament signed the "European Parliament Resolution on Indonesia"
urging the Indonesian government to invite UN special rapporteurs to investigate
torture cases conducted by the Indonesian Military in Aceh and Irian Jaya.
One of the pointers of the resolution regretted the fact that Indonesia has yet to
establish an independent investigation team for Maluku despite Vice President
Hamzah Haz's agreement to do so.
However, the European Parliament hailed the arrest of Ja'afar Umar Thalib,
commander of Laskar Jihad, saying the move displayed the government's
commitment to support the peace process in Maluku and its concerted efforts to
banish acts of terrorism.
Vice President Hamzah Haz also rejected the suggestion of a foreign investigating
team, saying that matters in Maluku and other riot-torn provinces should be dealt with
by the government.
"We (would) have our own investigating team. We are just waiting for the issuance of
the presidential decree to officiate it," he said after the Cabinet meeting.
Meanwhile, the Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Jusuf Kalla said the
investigating team for Maluku would comprise 11 members, yet the issuance date of
the presidential decree has yet to be decided.
On Thursday, the Ambon-based Pattimura Military Command destroyed 1,724 bullets,
88 mortar grenades, 45 hand grenades, 10 handheld rocket launchers, 1,210
hand-made bombs and 61 land mines, which were surrendered by warring factions in
the area.
The security apparatus, however, believes there are still many weapons stored by
Christian and Muslim groups.
"We call on the public to hand in their weapons, as those who are caught possessing
arms will be severely punished," said the spokesman of the military command, Maj.
Herry Suhardi.
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