ALLEGATIONS CONCERNING IRIAN JAYA

The Government has had serious concerns about the human rights situation in the Timika (Freeport mine) area of Irian Jaya since the Australian Council for Overseas Aid (ACFOA) report in April.

Those concerns have been reinforced by the report by the Australian Ambassador to Indonesia to me following his visit to the province from 23-30 July, and by further reports from other sources, most recently the Catholic Church of Jayapura.

All the material I have seen tends to confirm that since June 1994 there have been serious human rights violations in the area, including torture, disappearances and the deaths of at least 22 people.

I raised my general concerns about the situation in Irian Jaya with Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas in Brunei on 1 August and, having now received the Ambassador's full report, I have today sent a detailed letter to my counterpart.

That letter asks that the Indonesian Government investigate independently and thoroughly all the allegations that have been made, and that it publish the results of those investigations and bring to book any persons who might be found responsible for the acts alleged.

I welcome the investigation into the allegations currently being undertaken by Indonesia's Human Rights Commission. This is a very encouraging development illustrating the growing role and significance of this body set up by the Indonesian Government last year.

I am also encouraged that the Indonesian Armed Forces have indicated that they will investigate further the matter in issue.

The situation in Irian Jaya is a cause for serious concern and we will do everything we can to ensure an appropriate response. While we recognise sensitivities on the Indonesian side, allegations of serious human rights abuse in any country will always be a subject for interest and concern in the wider international community.

CANBERRA