Subject: No Gross Violations Of Human Rights In Ri In Last 2 Years, Indonesia President Says

Antara (Indonesia)

August 16, 2006 Wednesday

NO GROSS VIOLATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN RI IN LAST 2 YEARS, PRESIDENT SAYS

- As the government has endeavoured with resolute determination to promote, protect, and respect human rights, no cases that could be categorized as constituting gross violations of human rights occurred in Indonesia within the last two years, President Susilo Bambang Yudoyono has said.

"We should be grateful that, due to our common endeavour, legal norms that are related to human rights, have become more complete," the head of state said in his state address before the plenary session of the House of Representatives (DPR) here Wedneasday.

The government had also completed the ratification of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Yudoyono said.

According to the president, the government shall also continue with the eestablishment of the Commission on Truth and Reconciliation, so that it can become a vehicle to settle the various alleged cases of gross violations of human rights, aside from the existence of the available human rights tribunals.

Meanwhile, the resolution on the alleged cases of gross violations of human rights, prior to and after the popular consultation in East Timor in 1999 has been mutually agreed by the governments of Indonesia and Timor Leste to be settled through the Commission on Truth and Friendship, he said.

"It is expected that in the time frame that has been determined, the commission will report on the results it has achieved," he said.

The improving human rights condition in the homeland was reflected in the election of Indonesia as Chair of the Commission on Human Rights of the United Nations (U. N.) last year, he said, adding that Indonesia has also been elected as a member of the newly established U. N. Human Rights Council.

The head of state also expressed gratitute to witness the development of the Indonesian society that developed more democratic, as the right of every individual to express his or her opinion has been guaranteed by law, and in reality, has been exercised.

"Our press has developed into one that is free to cover stories, store and broadcast news. However, we all realize that press freedom is not without borders. Press freedom must still be exercised by respecting human rights and by complying with the prevailing legal provisions," he said.


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