# CE2004088EN.01039901.xml

| 8.4.2004 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | CE 88/399 |
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8.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 88/399

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(2004/C 88 E/0405)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2307/03

by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission

(14 July 2003)

Subject:   Timor – 1999 massacres; trial of those responsible; Indonesia – human rights

Subject:

In his answer to the earlier written question (E-0921/03 (1)) on the same subject Commissioner Patten said that the Union was constantly following the activities of the ad hoc court set up to judge crimes committed in East Timor and would be able to return to the issue when the latest judgment, expected at the beginning of May, was known and before appeal proceedings were launched.

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Can the Commission therefore say:

| — | what information it currently has on the work of the ad hoc court; |
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what information it currently has on the work of the ad hoc court;

| — | what conclusions it draws from it; |
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what conclusions it draws from it;

| — | what degree of credibility the court's decisions have, in the light of the requirements of the primacy of the rule of law and full observance of international human rights legislation; |
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what degree of credibility the court's decisions have, in the light of the requirements of the primacy of the rule of law and full observance of international human rights legislation;

| — | what programmes between the EU and Indonesia are under way or being planned as regards good governance, strengthening of the judicial system and respect for human rights? |
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what programmes between the EU and Indonesia are under way or being planned as regards good governance, strengthening of the judicial system and respect for human rights?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(15 September 2003)

(15 September 2003)

The Commission, through its Delegation in Jakarta and together with the Member States Representations in Indonesia, has been monitoring closely the course of the Ad Hoc tribunal on East Timor.

Following the most recent verdict, issued on 5 August 2003, the Union issued a ‘Declaration’ in which it expressed its disappointment and stated that ‘the deficiencies in the process have jeopardised the credibility of the verdicts’.

The Commission intends to encourage the competent authorities to improve the proceedings for the appeal process, according to international standards of justice to ensure that the verdicts are proportionate to the seriousness of the crimes committed.

Considering the deficiencies of the judicial system in Indonesia, the Commission has a standing commitment of EUR 13 millions to the ‘Partnership for Good Governance’ programme, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme UNDP. The Commission is also designing a EUR 11 million ‘Judiciary Support Programme’, focused on the training of judges and prosecutors. Moreover, the Commission is considering a request by the National Commission on Human Rights KOMNAS HAM for specialised technical assistance in the field of investigation techniques, in conflict areas in Indonesia.

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(1)  See page 337.

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