DATE=9/27/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=EAST TIMOR / HUMAN RIGHTS (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-254375
BYLINE=LISA SCHLEIN
DATELINE=GENEVA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The United Nations Human Rights
Commission has adopted a resolution by a wide
margin calling for an international inquiry into
violations of human rights in East Timor.
Despite vigorous efforts by Indonesia to scuttle
the resolution, the Commission passed it with a
vote of 32 in favor, 12 against and six
abstentions. Lisa Schlein in Geneva reports that
this was the fourth emergency session held by the
Commission in its 53 year history.
TEXT: Despite many predictions to the contrary,
the final vote did not reflect an East-West
split. The Western members of the Commission
were joined by a host of Latin American and
African countries in calling for an international
inquiry into alleged atrocities on East Timor.
Asian countries - led by Indonesia along with
several African and Latin American countries -
were defeated in their efforts to derail the
investigation.
Immediately after the vote, the Indonesian
Ambassador Hassan Wirajuda told the Commission
his government would consider the resolution
"non-binding." He called the resolution
inappropriate and not helpful. And, warned it
would be counterproductive.
///WIRAJUDA ACT///
The high handed, self-righteous and
blatantly intrusive approach will provoke a
strong nationalistic backlash in Indonesia.
This could produce political complications
within the Indonesian polity, which could
impact negatively on the efforts of our
democracy and in the building of a culture
for respect for human rights and even on
the full implementation of the agreement
itself.
///END ACT///
Asian allies, including China, India, Pakistan
and the Philippines supported Indonesia. Russia
and Japan were among six countries which
abstained.
The resolution was sponsored by the European
Union. It calls on the Unite Nations Secretary-
General, Kofi Annan to establish an international
commission of inquiry to gather information on
possible violations of human rights in East
Timor.
In a concession to Indonesia, the European Union
softened its original toughly worded proposal.
The version that passed praises the Jakarta
government and invites the Indonesian National
Commission on Human Rights to participate in the
investigation. The resolution also calls for
United Nations human rights experts to
investigate executions, disappearances and
violence against women in East Timor.
Finnish Ambassador, Pekka Huhtaniemi introduced
the resolution on behalf of the European Union.
He acknowledged that the situation in East Timor
was very complex.
///HUHTANIEMI ACT///
But, extremely grave violations of human
rights and international hummanitarian law
which have been committed need to be
addressed by the international community.
We strongly believe there is a need for an
internationally inquiry which in
cooperation with the Indonesian national
commission on human rights and our thematic
rapporteurs should shed light onto the
incidents.
///END ACT///
Observers here believe the commission of inquiry
on East Timor could lead to the establishment of
an international war crimes tribunal, as happened
in the case of the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda.
(Signed)
NEB/LS/GE/KL
27-Sep-1999 14:53 PM EDT (27-Sep-1999 1853 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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