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18 October 1999

Text: Human Rights Commissioner Names Inquiry Panel On East Timor

(Panel to investigate reports of human rights violations) (810)
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson has
announced the composition of the international commission of inquiry
that will look into possible violations of human rights and acts which
may constitute breaches of international humanitarian law committed in
East Timor since January 1999, the United Nations said in an October
15 press release.
"We owe it to the people of East Timor to investigate seriously and
objectively the terrible reports of grave human rights violations and
establish responsibility for any crimes committed," Robinson said.
According to the United Nations, Sonia Picado of Costa Rica, Judith
Sefi Attah of Nigeria, Justice A.M. Ahmadi of India, Justice Mari Kapi
of Papua New Guinea and Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger of Germany
will make up the commission, which is expected to go to the region
following working meetings in Geneva later this month.
Following is the text of the press release:
(begin text)
UNITED NATIONS
Press Release
15 October 1999
HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS NAMES
INTERNATIONAL INQUIRY PANEL ON EAST TIMOR
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson
announced today the composition of the international commission of
inquiry that will look into possible violations of human rights and
acts which may constitute breaches of international humanitarian law
committed in East Timor since January 1999.
The High Commissioner said Sonia Picado of Costa Rica, Judith Sefi
Attah of Nigeria, Justice A.M. Ahmadi of India, Justice Mari Kapi of
Papua New Guinea and Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger of Germany
would make up the commission, which is expected to go to the region
following working meetings in Geneva later this month.
In making the announcement, the High Commissioner said she was
convinced that the high level of competence and the integrity of the
members of the commission would ensure that "the significant task at
hand will be carried out thoroughly and according to the highest
standards of independence and impartiality".
"We owe it to the people of East Timor to investigate seriously and
objectively the terrible reports of grave human rights violations and
establish responsibility for any crimes committed", she continued.
The United Nations Commission on Human Rights, meeting in special
session on 27 September, called on the Secretary-General to "establish
an international commission of inquiry, with adequate representation
of Asian experts, in order, in cooperation with the Indonesian
National Commission on Human Rights and thematic rapporteurs, to
gather and compile systematically" information on possible violations
(Commission resolution 1999/S-4/1). On 28 September the
Secretary-General entrusted the High Commissioner with setting up the
commission.
The panel is to provide the Secretary-General with its conclusions by
31 December "with a view to enabling him to make recommendations on
future actions, and to make the report of the international commission
of inquiry available to the Security Council, the General Assembly and
the Commission".
Inquiry Commission Members
The members of the international commission of inquiry on East Timor
have extensive legal and human rights experience. The chair of the
team, Sonia Picado, is presently a member of the Costa Rican
Legislative Assembly and vice-chairperson of the Board of Directors of
the Inter-American Institute of Human Rights. A professor of law and
former Ambassador of Costa Rica to the United States, she has also
served as judge and vice-chairperson of the Inter-American Court of
Human Rights. She has published widely on human rights issues.
Judith Sefi Attah is a former Minister of Women Affairs and Social
Development. Mrs. Attah was a member of the United Nations
Subcommission on the Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of
Minorities (now called the Subcommission on Promotion and Protection
of Human Rights) from 1987 to 1997. She has represented her country in
various capacities, including as member of the Nigerian delegation to
the Commission on Human Rights and as Ambassador to Italy, Greece and
Cyprus.
A.M. Ahmadi is a former Chief Justice of India. His long legal career
began in 1954 when he joined the Bar at Ahmedabad. He became a Judge
of the Supreme Court of India in 1988, and was appointed Chief Justice
in 1994.
Mari Kapa is Deputy Chief Justice of Papua New Guinea. He has held
various posts in Fiji's judicial system, including Public Solicitor,
Judge of the National and Supreme Courts and Judge of Appeal of the
Fiji Court of Appeal.
Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger is a former Federal Minister of
Justice and a member of the German Bundestag (Parliament), where she
sits on the Committee for Human Rights and Humanitarian Assistance.
Trained in law, Mrs. Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger has served as
honorary judge at the Munich Labour Court and the Federal Disciplinary
Court.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State)