Indonesia: Human Rights Committee Makes Recommendations On Civil and Political Rights

Amnesty International urges the Indonesian government to take concrete and immediate steps to implement recommendations made by the UN Human Rights Committee to ensure that civil and political rights are respected and protected in the country.

On 25 July 2013 the UN Human Rights Committee (the Committee), an independent body of experts tasked with reviewing the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (the Covenant), published its Concluding Observations after assessing Indonesia’s compliance with the provisions of the Covenant both in law and practice during its 108th session. In the Concluding Observations, the Committee expressed concern about a range of areas where Indonesia is failing to meet its obligations under the Covenant.

The following are some of the concerns raised and recommendations made by the Human Rights Committee:

* The Committee expressed “regret” about ongoing impunity for past human rights violations by the security forces and called for the setting up of an ad hoc Human Rights Court to bring to justice those involved in the enforced disappearances of 13 political activists in 1997-98. It also called for the “effective prosecution” of all those involved in the killing of prominent human rights activist Munir;

* The Committee expressed concern about reports of extrajudicial executions and excessive use of force by the Indonesian security forces during protests. It highlighted in particular concerns that Indonesia “uses its security apparatus to punish political dissidents and human rights defenders”. The Committee called on Indonesia to ensure full accountability for human rights violations by the security forces and provide adequate compensation to victims’ families. The Committee also recommended that Indonesia take steps to strengthen the National Police Commission to ensure that all cases of misconduct by law enforcements officers can be effectively dealt with:

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