DATE=4/25/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=UN / EAST TIMOR (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-261717
BYLINE=LISA SCHLEIN
DATELINE=GENEVA
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The United Nations Human Rights
Commission has called on the Indonesian
government to carry out an investigation of
alleged violations of Human Rights in East Timor
and to punish any people found guilty of abuse.
Lisa Schlein reports from Geneva.
TEXT: The U-N Human Rights Commission has
repeated its demand that Indonesia investigate
violations of fundamental human rights and
international humanitarian law that took place in
East Timor.
But it did so in the form of a chairman's
statement, which is a milder form of rebuke than
a resolution. The statement was adopted by
consensus. It was read by the Commission
Chairman, Nepalese Ambassador, Shamku Simkhada.
He praised the Indonesian government for its
cooperative attitude in investigating human
rights abuses.
/// SIMKHADA ACT ///
The commission welcomes the general
progress made and some concrete steps
already taken by the Indonesian government
to investigate fully violations of human
rights and international humanitarian law
and to bring those responsible to justice,
and welcomes the willingness of the
government of Indonesia to inform the
Commission on further developments.
/// END ACT ///
The U-N Human Rights Commission held an emergency
session last September on East Timor. This
followed an orgy of bloodshed by Indonesian
soldiers and militiamen against people who voted
for an independent East Timor. The Commission
called for an inquiry into these atrocities.
Responding to the chairman's statement,
Indonesia's ambassador, Hassan Wirajuda, thanked
the international community for its concern.
/// WIRAJUDA ACT ///
The Indonesian government has undertaken
sincere and determined efforts to address
the various residual issues linked to the
aftermath of the 30th August popular
consultation in East Timor and fully
acknowledges the international community's
genuine concern about the resulting
violence. However, my government believes
that all domestic remedies must first be
explored.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Wirajuda said his government was taking steps
to conduct an across-the-board investigation into
violations of humanitarian law and to bring those
guilty of crimes to justice. The Commission text
also expressed concern about intimidation by
militias of an estimated 100-thousand East
Timorese refugees now living in West Timor. They
fled to West Timor to avoid militia attacks and
many still remain there. (Signed)
NEB/LS/KL
25-Apr-2000 15:48 PM EDT (25-Apr-2000 1948 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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