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SBY's adviser recommends rights tribunal for Prabowo

Jakarta Post - June 26, 2014

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Ina Parlina and Margareth S. Aritonang, Jakarta – Amid mounting pressure on President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to resolve the alleged human rights violations that took place during the May 1998 riots, an official has recommended an ad hoc rights tribunal be established to hear the case.

Head of legal and human rights affairs at the Presidential Advisory Council, Albert Hasibuan, said he had submitted the recommendation to the President.

An ad hoc human rights tribunal can be set up with a recommendation from the House of Representatives and a Presidential decree, as stipulated in Article 43 of the 2000 Human Rights Law.

Despite the House sending its recommendation to Yudhoyono in 2009, the outgoing President has yet to make any significant moves to settle the case.

"The recommendation concerns the establishment of the ad hoc rights tribunal," Albert told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday, without elaborating on the recommendation or if a deadline had been proposed.

Although the Presidential Advisory Council's recommendations are non-binding, the move could mark the reopening of the case, especially following a statement made by retired military officer and politician Maj. Gen. (ret) Kivlan Zen, who said those still missing were all dead and he knew where they were buried.

Presidential spokesman Julian Aldrin Pasha has confirmed that the Palace had received the letter of recommendation. However, Julian said, he could not comment on whether Yudhoyono would decide on the tribunal before his term ends in October.

"I have yet to read the letter and the recommendation. [But] of course the President will review what it said," Julian said on Tuesday. Last month, relatives of the missing people – including Maria Katarina Sumarsih, the mother of Bernardus Realino Norma "Wawan" Irmawan; 18-year-old Novridaniar Dinis Puspahati Muhidin, the daughter of Yadin Muhidin; and Paian Siahaan, the father of Ucok Munandar Siahaan – met with Albert and demanded Yudhoyono set up the tribunal before his term ends.

The group also met with the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) and demanded it summon Kivlan and question him about the alleged involvement of Prabowo Subianto, Gerindra Party's presidential candidate, in the kidnapping of pro-democracy activists during anti-Chinese riots in Jakarta in 1998, which preceded the end of former president Soeharto's regime. Nine activists were returned and some joined Gerindra.

In one of the televised presidential candidates debates, Prabowo, in response to a question on the issue from vice presidential candidate Jusuf Kalla, said that he had carried out his duty.

Hendardi of rights watchdog Setara Institute said he doubted Yudhoyono would act on the recommendation. "With or without Abert's recommendation, Yudhoyono should have acted since the House made the recommendation in 2009," he said on Wednesday.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2014/06/26/sby-s-adviser-recommends-rights-tribunal-prabowo.html.