The Government
of Indonesia has continued and enhanced steps to provide protection
to its nationals in Australia in the wake of the recent interrogation
by Australian authorities of Indonesian nationals living in
Australia on suspicion of involvement in terrorist activities.
Immediately
after the first cases arise, the Government of Indonesia has
conveyed its deep concern to, and sought clarification from,
the Australian authorities for the heavyhanded manner of the
interrogations. Such concern was conveyed by the Department
of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia to the Charges d’Affaires
of Australia in Jakarta and by the Charges d’Affaires of
Indonesia in Canberra to the Department of Foreign Affairs of
Australia, and indeed by Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda in
his conversation with Foreign Minister Alexander Downer. While
respecting Australia’s sovereign right to implement its
own laws and regulations in its own country, the Government
of Indonesia has also reminded the Australian authorities of
its international obligations relating to the right of consular
protection enjoyed by foreign nationals on its soil. Moreover,
the Government of Indonesia has emphasized that notwithstanding
the obvious urgent need to uncover terrorist networks, this
must be done in a manner which respects civil liberties and
minimum treatment according to basic human rights and international
law.
Following
such representations, the Government of Indonesia notes that
recent cases of interrogation have shown some improvements by
no longer conducting raids.
As part of this
continuing and enhanced efforts to protect Indonesian nationals
in Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs today announces
that it stands ready to provide legal assistance to affected
Indonesian nationals for any wrongdoings committed during their
recent interrogations by Australian authorities.
In
addition, the Department of Foreign Affairs has established
“hotlines” in Jakarta and Canberra through which the
public may submit information or inquire about the conditions
of their family or relatives in Australia.
The
peoples of Australia and Indonesia, indeed peoples of various
nationalities, have recently sustained a heinous terrorist attack
of unimaginable proportion. In a spirit of shared grief and
common determination, the Government of Indonesia has cooperated
with various governments, not least the Government of Australia,
in fighting the threat of terrorism. Such a cooperative spirit
is invaluable in fighting terrorism.
Conversely,
steps which divides and detracts from such common effort can
not be in interest of those who wish to comprehensively fight
terror.
Jakarta, 4 November 2002
