Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07JAKARTA3409
2007-12-17 07:02:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Jakarta
Cable title:
HUMAN RIGHTS DAY -- INDONESIANS HIGHLIGHT PROGRESS
how-toVZCZCXRO3199 OO RUEHCHI RUEHCN RUEHDT RUEHHM DE RUEHJA #3409/01 3510702 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 170702Z DEC 07 FM AMEMBASSY JAKARTA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7423 INFO RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS PRIORITY RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 1778 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 1323 RUEHPB/AMEMBASSY PORT MORESBY 3595 RUEHDT/AMEMBASSY DILI 0907 RUEHWL/AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON 2167 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
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).
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
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