HUMAN RIGHTS -- KEY COMMISSION WILLING TO HELP ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 001048 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MLS, EAP/MTS, DRL, DRL/AWH, PM NSC FOR EPHU E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/29/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM ID SUBJECT: HUMAN RIGHTS -- KEY COMMISSION WILLING TO HELP ON VETTING REF: A. JAKARTA 1041 ¶B. 07 JAKARTA 02442 JAKARTA 00001048 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: Pol/C Joseph Legend Novak, reasons 1.4(b+d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Keith Luse, U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Staff Member, met National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) Chair Ifdhal Kasim on May 27. Kasim said he will consider a suggestion that Komnas HAM assist with the vetting of Indonesian security personnel for USG training. Kasim--who is on his way to Harvard to attend a human rights course--said he supported U.S. training of Indonesian security forces, including Special Forces (Kopassus). END SUMMARY. MEETING WITH KEY HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICIAL ¶2. (C) National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) Chair Ifdhal Kasim--a human rights leader of high standing in Indonesia who was appointed Chair in August 2007--met with Senate staff member Keith Luse (U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Senior Professional Staff Member),DepPol/C, and poloff on May 27. Asked by Luse whether Komnas HAM would be willing to provide ideas on how Indonesian security forces should be trained to the U.S. Congress, Kasim answered enthusiastically that Komnas HAM would very much like to do so. Kasim suggested that two areas of training that would be useful would be how to deal with terrorism, human rights and humanitarian law, particularly for younger soldiers in the field. Luse noted that the U.S. Congress would be "very impressed" with input regarding security force training from Komnas HAM, and highly appreciative. ¶3. (C) Kasim remarked that Komnas HAM currently provides human rights training to the TNI--including the Special Forces--as does the International Committee for the Red Cross. One of Kasim's initiatives has been to pursue a dialogue with the TNI to establish good relations in order to deal with specific cases relating both to past human rights abuses and current land disputes which can lead to conflict. (Note: As noted ref A, Komnas HAM has continued engagement with the TNI, with some successes.) ASSISTANCE RE VETTING ¶4. (C) DepPol/C asked Kasim whether Komnas HAM also would be interested in helping the USG in vetting security force members and units proposed for training for past human rights abuses. He noted that the semi-autonomous government agency Komnas HAM has a vast database and credibility for its integrity and independence. Kasim expressed strong interest in working with the USG to assist with Leahy vetting of security forces, saying cooperation in this area would be "very possible." Kasim said he was interested in having greater ability to monitor the human rights records of those security forces who received USG training, to ensure that those trained have not committed gross violations of human rights. ¶5. (C) DepPol/C also inquired whether Komnas HAM would be interested in providing input for Congressionally-mandated reports on human rights and reform, possibly by providing reports they have already produced. Kasim said this also might be possible. Regarding the Special Forces, Kasim noted that Kopassus cooperated with some Komnas HAM investigations, providing information and being generally supportive in some cases involving their members. ¶6. (C) Noting misunderstanding by Indonesian Parliament (DPR) members about Congressional statements regarding Papua which has led to some acrimony in the DPR, Kasim suggested more exchanges for Parliament members in order to clear up misperceptions on both sides. Kasim explained that current human rights issues related to Papua relate more to people JAKARTA 00001048 002.2 OF 002 being alarmed by the large number of security forces on the ground in Papua rather than human rights abuses, and that the TNI presence in Papua should be reduced. Luse asked Kasim to provide three or four human rights issues that he thinks Congress should raise with the GOI, and that he would see if these issues can be raised quietly, perhaps in the form of a letter from Congress to the GOI. TRAVEL TO THE U.S. ¶7. (U) Kasim indicated he would depart for the U.S. on May 28 to attend a human rights course at Harvard University. Luse invited Kasim to brief members of Congress the next time he visits Washington. ¶8. (U) This message was approved by Keith Luse. HEFFERN