Press Release

No. 224/HMS/III/02

The East Timor Human Rights Ad-Hoc Tribunal Begins

On March 14, 2002, the Government of Indonesia starts the proceeding of the East Timor Human Rights Ad Hoc Tribunal to bring the alleged perpetrators to justice.  The ad-hoc tribunal is based on a Presidential Decree No. 53/2001. The tribunal will begin to hear the case against former East Timor Police Chief Brig. Gen. Timbul Silaen and former Governor of East Timor Abilio Soares who are both charged with omissions.

The court will also hear the case against four middle-ranking officers and one civilian who are charged with human rights abuses. Sentences could range from 10 years to a maximum of the death penalty. The seven accused are among the 18 suspects charged with a total of 12 cases of rights abuses in the former province of East Timor, before and after the UN ballot in August 1999.

The trial is of enormous significance. It is also the first case to be tried under the breakthrough law on Human Rights Tribunal in 2000. On Wednesday March 13, 2002 President Megawati Soekarnoputri gave a big boost to the trial when she signed two crucial government regulations on the protection of witnesses and victims of right’s abuses; and compensation for the right’s victims.

The Government Regulation No. 2/2002 on the Protection of Witnesses and Victims of Human Rights Abuses include safeguarding personal safety; concealing identities; and court testimony without being seen by the accused.

Meanwhile, Government Regulation No. 3/2002 on the Compensation, Restitution and Rehabilitation of Victims of Human Rights Abuses which inter alia stipulates that the state is required to provide compensation in the event the person responsible is unable to provide for the remuneration set by the court. The execution of payment will be the responsibility of the Ministry of Finance. Also, should the victim be deceased, the heirs and successors are entitled to receive the restitution/compensation ordered by the court.

New York, March 14, 2002