The decision to exclude the death penalty is welcome. However, statements by President Wahid that he will pardon leading generals if they are convicted is worrying and amounts to unacceptable political interference in the judicial process. Justice will not be done and seen to be done unless appropriate punishments are handed down. Trials in East Timor There have been important developments in East Timor concerning the trial of pro-Indonesian militias. An embryonic legal system is being set up, but progress is inevitably slow.
Resources are limited and inexperienced prosecutors, defenders and judges have to be trained.
The criminal code defining those crimes and the criminal procedure code have not yet been finalised. There are growing concerns about overcrowded jails, with some suspects having been in custody for more than seven months.