23 November 2012
Mr Joe Collins
PO Box 28
Spit Junction
SYDNEY NSW 2088
Dear Mr Collins,
Thank you for your letters
dated 17 and 24 October 2012. I have been asked to reply on
behalf of the Minister for
Foreign Affairs.
The Australian Government is
also concerned about violence in Papua and we continue to underscore this
message with the lndonesian Government. Australian Embassy officials in Jakarta
closely monitor the situation in Papua. They visit regularly to examine
first-hand the situation there and they make representations to the Indonesian
Government on human rights.
Prime Minister Gillard and
Foreign Minister Carr have raised developments in the Papuan provinces with
their counterparts, President Yudhoyono and Foreign Minister Natalegawa, during
regular bilateral exchanges.
Australia's consistent message
to the Indonesian Govemment on human rights is clear - Indonesia should respect
the rights of all its citizens. The Aushalian Government recognises that under
President Yudhoyono, Indonesia's human rights record has improved. We welcome
his commitment that any abuses by security forces in the Papuan provinces are
to be investigated and punished.
In your lelter of 24October
you urged the Government to raise human rights in West Papua at the IIN. I
thought therefore I should report that on 23 May 20l2,the Australian Government
participated in the IJN Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review of
Indonesia, which included providing key recommendations on Indonesia's human
rights record.
Australia recommended that
Indonesia should intensiff its efforts to respect and uphold freedoms of
religious and political expression, including by ensuring effective state
protection for minorities; and continue to increase human rights transparencyby
improving the access of local and international media organisations. We
recommended further engagement with the UN Office of the High Commissioner for
Human Rights, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and other relevant
intemational organizations throughout Indonesia.
We also recofllmended that
Indonesia ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court; and ensure
fair and proper legal action in relation to those investigated and prosecuted,
including impartial trials and reasonable sentences, as well as detention
standards that meet R G Casey Building John McEwen Cres Barton 0221 Telephone:02
6261 llll Facsimile:02 62613lll international norms. In addition, we
recommended that Indonesia ensure prompt, comprehensive, and effective
investigations into credible allegations of human rights violations by members
of the security forces, and examine options for establishing an independent
review mechanism withthe ability to recommend prosecutions.
In your letter of 17 October
you raised the issue of Australia's support to the Indonesian National Police's
special counter-terrorism unit, Detachment 88.
As you are aware, the sole focus
of Australian engagement with this unit is combating terrorism. It is important
to underline that Australia's training activities have nothing to do with
countering separatist goups or organisations. Against ttre tragic history of
terr-9rist activities in the region, - Io.t,rOirrg thJ loss of s8 Aristralians
in the first Bali bombing, such engagement is crucial to protect tf,e safety of
both Indonesians and Australians.
Detachment 88 has been at the iorefront
of Indonesia's success in apprehending terrorists and has made almost 800
arrests since it was established in 2002. You mentioned the appearance of the
Australian Federal police Commissioner before Senate Estimates hearings in
October. You will be aware that the Commissioner said he had looked into the
issue extensively and had found "we are doing everything that is
reasonable and appropriate to ensure that we are only supporting activities that
would be acceptable to the Australian community".
Thank you for.bringing your
views to the attention of the Australian Government.
Yours sincerely
Allaster Cox
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