HUMAN RIGHTS DAY -- INDONESIANS HIGHLIGHT PROGRESS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 003409 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, DRL/AWH NSC FOR EPHU E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/17/2017 TAGS: PGOV PHUM ID SUBJECT: HUMAN RIGHTS DAY -- INDONESIANS HIGHLIGHT PROGRESS AND CHALLENGES JAKARTA 00003409 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: Pol/C Joseph Legend Novak, reasons 1.4 (b+d). ¶1. (U) This message was coordinated with Consulate Medan. ¶2. (C) SUMMARY: International Human Rights Day was celebrated across Indonesia with civil society rallies, symposiums and much commentary about the country's human rights record. In line with the immense progress made since the fall of the Suharto regime in 1998, Indonesia's respect for human rights increased in 2007, according to activists. That said, more progress needs to be made in accountability and reform. END SUMMARY. FROM ACEH TO PAPUA ¶3. (SBU) Indonesian civil society vigorously commemorated International Human Rights Day the week of December 10. Far-flung regions celebrated with events. In Aceh, for example, a major NGO coalition held press conferences to advocate for the establishment of a truth and reconciliation commission (TRC) for victims of violations committed before the 2005 MOU that ended the armed struggle. In Papua, over 300 demonstrators peacefully rallied in Wamena and hundreds more gathered in Abepura to celebrate International Human Rights Day. (Note: Abepura and Wamena are areas associated with past conflict between civilians and security forces.) SIGNS OF PROGRESS ¶4. (SBU) Activists and commentators used the week to assess what progress Indonesia has made in respecting human rights. The 2007 achievement most frequently cited by activists was improved GOI cooperation with international bodies to promote respect for human rights. As a member of the UN Human Rights Council, Indonesia is committed to improving its human rights image, Rafendi Djamin, Director of the Human Rights Working Group, told a press conference commemorating International Human Rights Day. Observers noted that the GOI allowed major UN visitors full access to sites during their visits to Indonesia this year, including: -- UN Special Representative on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders Hina Jilani; -- UN High Commissioner on Human Rights Louise Arbour; and, -- UN Special Rapporteur on Torture Manfred Nowak. ¶5. (C) Also in 2007, commentators noted that there had been progress in the landmark 2004 murder case of human rights activist Munir Thalib. And, the Indonesian government inaugurated a new National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) led by former NGO activists. The new Komnas HAM is tackling a wide range of issues, including working with parliament and the Attorney General's Office to break down procedural barriers to pressing human rights cases. Komnas HAM also is addressing land disputes and Suharto regime abuses. Also in 2007, the Constitutional Court upheld freedom of expression and other civil rights in several cases. The government also enacted a robust anti-trafficking law. THE ROAD AHEAD ¶6. (SBU) Per observers, more effort is needed in some areas. As noted by the UN, for example, Harkristuti Harkrisnowo--Director General of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights--told a Legal Aid Society forum that torture is a major problem in detention cells and jails. Police Senior Commander Bambang Rudi responded to this concern by saying that police "will strictly punish those who use intimidation or torture." In other Jakarta public discussions sponsored by Komnas HAM, activists and other notables debated accountability for past abuses, justice for land disputes, indigenous rights, and the death penalty. WHERE INDONESIA STANDS ¶7. (C) Overall, GOI and civil society speakers commemorated International Human Rights Day by acknowledging the progress Indonesia made in 2007 and also by freely airing some issues that have yet to be fully addressed. While readily admitting that more needs to be done, however, Indonesians universally JAKARTA 00003409 002.2 OF 002 recognize just how much progress has been made since the Suharto regime crumbled and the country returned to democracy almost ten years ago. HUME