The Jakarta Post March 1, 2002
Human rights trial to begin mid-March
Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The much-awaited ad hoc human rights trial will begin in the middle of
this
month, with or without the government regulations on witness protection
and
rehabilitation and compensation for victims of rights violations.
Judge Andi Samsan Nganro, one of the judges who will preside over the
trial
of seven people charged with crimes against humanity in East Timor in
1999,
said a further delay to the trial will further tarnish Indonesia's already
sullied image in the international community.
"What will the world say if we delay the hearing?" he asked.
The ad hoc trial was initially slated to start on Jan. 15, but was
postponed as everyone was waiting for President Megawati Soekarnoputri
to
name the judges as required by the Law No. 26/2000 on human rights tribunal.
The judges were sworn in late last month. The delay sparked suspicion
that
Indonesian was not serious about conducting the trial at all.
On Wednesday, Minister of Justice and Human Rights Yusril Ihza Mahendra
asked the court to delay the first hearing since the President had not
yet
signed the two supporting government regulations.
Judge Andi said ideally the government should enforce the two regulations
before the court holds its first hearing.
"There may be some difficulties faced during the hearing in the
absence of
the regulations," Andi told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.
The court has set up three panels of judges to try the first seven defendants.
Without the regulation for witnesses protection, Andi expected a low
turn-out from witnesses.
"Some witnesses could be afraid to testify against the defendants
because
there is no guarantee of their safety. They would probably refuse to appear
before the court," Andi said.
The first group of defendants who will be brought to the human rights
court
include former East Timor Governor Abilio Jose Soares and former East
Timor
Police Chief GM Timbul Silaen.
The defendants are charged with genocide and crimes against humanity,
both
of which carry the death penalty.
Andi urged the government to sign the regulations soon as another delay
in
the hearing could increase suspicion among the international community.