Open letter: There is merit in the idea of criteria
April 21, 2005
The honourable Delegation of Indonesia c/o Commission on Human Rights Geneva
Dear Excellency, Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,
Indonesia has been elected to chair the 61st session of the Commission on Human Rights because of its constructive contributions to the UN system in the last years and as an acknowledgement to the democratisation process since 1998. The election of Indonesia as Chairman has raised expectations that the human rights agenda at domestic level will be further pushed in the near future. Obviously, human rights activists and non-governmental organisations know that the human rights situation in Indonesia will gradually improve. Nevertheless, we listened very carefully to the statements of Indonesia’s government representatives and diplomats and would like to bring to attention some of the major promises given throughout the 61st session:
- “[The] appointment [to chair the Commission] is a reflection of our firm commitment to democracy and human rights. Indonesia has emerged as a vibrant democracy, where the issue of human rights has moved to the forefront of the national agenda.” (opening statement by H.E. Makarim Wibisono, Geneva, 14 March 2005)
- “The promotion and protection of human rights have become top priority in our reform process. (..) The Indonesia of today should be measured (…) in the context of ongoing change and how we manage that change.” (Statement by H.E. Dr. N. Hassan Wirajuda, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Geneva, 15 March 2005)
- The ratification of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights is shortly expected to happen (Interview of H.E. Makarim Wibisono, Human Rights Features, 21-28 March 2005, p. 3);
- The Commander-in-Chief is quoted “I have already given instructions to all the troops to respect human rights.” The Commander-in-Chief also agreed to have lectures, training, workshops on human rights inside the headquarters (ibid. p. 2f.);
- “For we believe that, in our fight against terrorism, there should be – and there must be – no contest between democracy, human rights, and security.” (Statement by H.E. Dr. N. Hassan Wirajuda, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Geneva, 15 March 2005)
Non-governmental organisations and activists committed to human rights appreciate these intentions and take it seriously. We feel, it is a good time for human rights and good governance to be further established and strengthened in Indonesia; not only in general but also in relation to particular issues. Therefore, we wonder whether this emphasis and good will may be transferred into real politics related for instance to the following cases:
- the peaceful dialogues on Papua and Aceh (specially now in the context of the recovery process),
- the programmes of rehabilitation for victims of massacres as in 1965 and 1966,
- the observation of a due procedure to bring to court recent attacks on human rights defenders such as the murder on Mr. Munir,
- and the unconditional invitations for experts of the United Nations to visit Indonesia.
We look forward to meet at a next opportunity – at the latest at the 62nd session of the Commission on Human Rights – in order to review those promises that Indonesia has made as Chair. With our best wishes for these endeavours, Sincerely Aceh’s Ngos coalition for Human Right, Banda Aceh Human Rights Documentation Unit, Jakarta Indonesia’s NGO Coalition for International Human Rights Advocacy (HRWG), Jakarta Relawan Perempuan untuk Kemanusiaan, Jakarta / Banda Aceh Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), regional Bangkok Commissie justitia et pax, The Netherlands Watch Indonesia!, Germany West-Papua-Netzwerk, Germany Forum Human Rights, Germany
