8 November 2006

News Release  -  INDONESIAN SECURITY TREATY

"Something as significant as a long term Security Treaty with Indonesia should be a matter of public consultation before Australia becomes bound by such a treaty with Indonesia" said John Dowd AO QC President of the International Commission of Jurists, Australia today."

Since neither Australia nor Indonesia is under attack or likely to be in the foreseeable future a Security Treaty will only involve Australian Military training Indonesians or the Indonesian training us. At a time when Indonesian defence forces are being used against some of the peoples of Indonesia such as in West Papua this is a matter of serious concern to Australians. It is not really about Australia/Indonesian security form attack.

"The Treaty should also include provisions for human rights monitors and foreign journalists be allowed access to West Papua. If the Australian public is paying for our contribution to this treaty the public has the right to ensure that moneys are being properly spent."

The question asked by Newspoll was:

"Currently the Australian and Indonesian governments are negotiating a new security treaty due to be signed in December. Thinking generally about clauses that could be contained in that security treaty. Would you personally be in favour or against a clause that:

    a) guaranteed free access for foreign journalists, including Australian journalists, to areas of Indonesia including the province of West Papua

    b) guaranteed free access for human rights observers to the province of West Papua"

The poll found 64% of Australians supported access for journalists and 72% supported free access for Human rights monitors.

"The Government's decision to rush in a new security pact that ignores human rights is a dangerous road to tread"

"Good relations with the Indonesia are critical but a security treaty that undermines human rights will not achieve this."

"In fact the proposed treaty has the potential to breed mistrust and resentment both in Australia and Indonesia."

Contact John Dowd AO QC