Date sent: Wed, 16 Aug 2000 15:07:58 -0600 (MDT) To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [INDONESIA-NEWS] JKTP - Past Rights Crimes Could Get Protection > X-URL: http://www.thejakartapost.com:8890/myrender?menu_name=gallery&id=5472 > > Past rights crimes could get protection > August 17, 2000 - 02:00 > JAKARTA (JP): The People's Consultative Assembly is almost certain > to pass a controversial constitutional amendment which will protect > anyone from being charged for crimes committed in the past, including > human rights abuses, using a newly invoked law. > The amendment effectively bars the retroactive application of any > state law. > The passing of the amendment comes at a critical juncture. > Indonesia is debating a new rights tribunal bill which includes a > provision for an adhoc tribunal which could, with the permission of > the president and the House of Representatives, prosecute those guilty > of past human rights abuses, including crimes committed in East Timor > and Tanjung Priok. > The bill is still being debated by the House. > Assembly Speaker Amien Rais admitted on Wednesday that the > introduction of the amendment was an oversight, unnoticed by many > legislators. > Amien could only plead ignorance when reproached about the > amendment by the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of > Violence (Kontras) chairman, Munir, during a meeting here on > Wednesday. > "Unfortunately, you came when the food has already been served," > Amien remarked metaphorically. > He admitted he was not really aware of the legal issues involved > in the constitutional amendment. > He also acknowledged that leaders of the Assembly's Commission A > assigned to discuss the constitutional amendments were also people > with little knowledge on legal and human rights issues. > Munir was angry that the Assembly could pass an amendment that > diminishes hope of trying past human rights abuses. > He said human rights abuses in Tanjung Priok, Aceh and East Timor > could not be tried as suspects would hide behind the article. > The controversial clause is included in Article 28 I (1) of the > draft amendments to the 1945 Constitution. (jun) Jusfiq Hadjar gelar Sutan Maradjo Lelo ===================================== * Ijtihad untuk mencerdaskan ajaran Islam yang sekarang ini penuh ketololan, kedunguan, kegoblokan dan kebodohan * Ijtihad untuk memanusiawikan ajaran Islam yang sekarang ini biadab, keji dan nista
