TIMOR-LESTE -- KEY MINISTRY WORKS TO PROMOTE JOINT

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 002127 SIPDIS DEPT. FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, DRL, DRL/AWH, G/TIP NSC FOR EPHU E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/18/2018 TAGS: PGOV KJUS ID TT SUBJECT: TIMOR-LESTE -- KEY MINISTRY WORKS TO PROMOTE JOINT REPORT AND ITS RECOMMENDATIONS REF: JAKARTA 1825 AND PREVIOUS Classified By: Pol/C Joseph L. Novak, reasons 1.4(b+d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: The GOI says it wants to promote the recommendations of the Timor-Leste/Indonesia Commission on Truth and Friendship (CTF),but needs assistance to do so. The Ministry of Law and Human Rights also wants support for a human rights training program for the Papuan region of eastern Indonesia. Mission will continue to cooperate with the GOI on ways to implement the CTF report, an important priority for accountability. The Papua proposal also warrants close review given continued tensions there. END SUMMARY. WORKING TO PROMOTE THE CTF ¶2. (C) The GOI continues to look into ways to implement the Timor-Leste-Indonesia CTF report. Hafid Abbas, Director General for Human Rights Research and Development at the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, told DepPol/C and poloffs from Australia and Switzerland in a November 13 meeting that the ministry would like assistance in printing the CTF report. (Note: The joint report was issued earlier this year and outlines violence committed in East Timor in the 1990s, particularly instances involving Indonesian security forces and pro-Jakarta militias. The report contains a number of recommendations, which include a mandate for widespread publication of the report and additional human rights training for security forces--see reftels.) ¶3. (C) In discussing this matter, Abbas noted that internal Indonesian distribution of the report on CD-ROM's was insufficient. He remarked that a large number of printed copies in both English and Bahasa Indonesia need to be disseminated as broadly as possible so the Indonesian public understands what happened in East Timor. He added that his ministry does not have the budget for this effort as the thick report costs about USD 30 per copy to publish. He said the ministry would welcome our support. DepPol/C noted that this was a worthy goal and that the USG would consider how it might assist. PROMOTING HUMAN RIGHTS IN PAPUA ¶4. (C) Another priority for the Law Ministry is Papua. Abbas said he understood that the situation was tense there and that there were questions at times about the actions of security forces. To help educate Papuans, Abbas wants to carry out projects at Papuan universities to: -- Create a curriculum to teach human rights. -- Carry out research on victims of past human rights abuse for documentation and steps to address abuses in the future. -- Provide in-depth training opportunities to faculty members. ¶5. (C) DepPol/C also brought up human trafficking. Asked whether any action was being taken to address alleged complicity in trafficking by the Ministry of Manpower and the Overseas Manpower Protection Agency, Abbas asserted that the ministry already has thick files on corruption by officials in these agencies. DepPol/C urged that the GOI take action to address such abuses in the interest of curbing trafficking as soon as possible. LOOKING FOR WAYS TO COOPERATE ¶6. (C) Abbas has a solid record and his position is a key one in terms of mandating accountability and adherence to human rights standards. Mission continues to look into how the USG can support the GOI's efforts to promote the CTF. We are also coordinating with like-minded Missions on ways to work together on these initiatives. The idea of focused JAKARTA 00002127 002 OF 002 human rights training regarding Papua is also a compelling one which Mission will explore with the Law Ministry further. HUME