FWP (UK) Comment: Indicted war criminal *Colonel Burhanddhin **Siagian* is currently serving as the Indonesian military commander in Jayapura, the capital of West Papua.

*Written answers*

Wednesday, 18 June 2008

Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

Timor-Leste: Crimes Against Humanity

*Mr. Hancock:* To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will hold discussions with the Indonesian government to ascertain the status of Colonel Burhanddhin Siagian following his indictment on 3 February 2003 by the United Nations Special Panel for Serious Crimes in Dili, East Timor, for crimes against humanity. [210715]

*Meg Munn:* My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has no plans to hold discussions with the Indonesian Government on the status of Indonesian Colonel Burhanuddin Siagian. We believe that it is for the Indonesian and East Timorese Governments to pursue the indictment by the UN Special Panel for Serious Crimes.

The UK has consistently expressed concern to both the Indonesian and East Timorese Governments about impunity for those responsible for human rights abuses in East Timor. These issues are pursued through their bilateral Commission for Truth and Friendship. We have encouraged both Governments to make the Commission for Truth and Friendship a process that enjoys the confidence of the victims and the international community.

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Richard Samuelson Free West Papua Campaign, Oxford, UK. www.freewestpapua.org 

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