Media Release
Hon Phil Goff
1 February 2000
GOFF COMMENTS ON EAST TIMOR REPORTS
Foreign Minister Phil Goff today welcomed the report of Komnas Ham, the Human Rights Commission in Indonesia into human
rights abuses in East Timor.
"The report is hard-hitting and unequivocal. It finds that human rights violations on a large scale did occur in East
Timor and names 31 persons to be further investigated.
"The report states clearly that the systematic nature of human rights abuses indicates the direct involvement of the
Indonesian army and police in support of the militia.
"It is important that those who planned and directed these actions as well as those who carried them out are brought to
justice."
Mr Goff welcomed the move this morning by President Wahid to ask General Wiranto to resign. "This is an encouraging
first step," he said.
"We look to Indonesia to honour its commitment to bring all those responsible for the abuses in East Timor to justice.
The UN's International Commission of Inquiry also released its report last night. It called for the establishment of an
independent international body to conduct further investigations and for an International Human Rights Tribunal to
prosecute those accused of serious violations.
New Zealand would support such a body. However, if the Indonesians honour their commitments, the process in Indonesia
could see a quicker and more effective result.
"The International Human Rights Tribunal should be ready as a backstop if Indonesians measures prove to be inadequate.
Ends