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Indonesia

Volume 400: debated on Monday 24 February 2003

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To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Indonesia about the holding of the Reverend Rinaldy Damanik in prison; and if he will make a statement. [98360]

Reverend Damanik has been charged with firearms offences which need to be investigated thoroughly and fully. It is essential that the legal process take its full course and the Indonesian courts hear all the evidence. Under international law we are prohibited from intervening in individual cases before the courts in another sovereign country. However, we continue to stress to the Indonesian Government the importance of a fair and transparent judicial system, and of applying the law in an evenhanded way to all who break it. We have also offered human rights training for a number of Indonesian Supreme Court Judges. The Indonesians welcomed this training, and are keen for it to go ahead.