UN Human Rights Commission Votes for International Inquiry into East Timor Atrocities

The United Nations' Human Rights Commission has voted in favor of an international inquiry into atrocities in East Timor, despite opposition from Indonesia and its Asian allies. The 53-member commission voted 32-12, with six abstentions, in support of the proposal made by the European Union. The EU had attempted to overcome resistance from Indonesia and its allies to investigate reported massacres and other human rights abuses.

Key Takeaways:

The UN Human Rights Commission voted 32-12 with six abstentions in favor of an international inquiry into East Timor atrocities.
The European Union proposed the inquiry, which was opposed by Indonesia and its Asian allies, including China and the Philippines.
Japan and South Korea abstained from the vote.
Indonesia's ambassador, Hassan Wirajuda, stated that his country was not obliged to honor the resolution but would pursue its own efforts to investigate rights abuses.
The commission of inquiry could be the first step toward establishing a U.N. war crimes tribunal for East Timor.
U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson supported the resolution.
The EU modified its proposal to include praise for the Jakarta government and stressed the importance of Indonesia's own National Commission on Human Rights.
Indonesia proposed a national fact-finding mission with foreign observers, but the EU insisted on an internationally led investigation with Indonesian participation.

Statistics:

32 members of the U.N. Human Rights Commission voted in favor of the international inquiry.
12 members voted against the proposal.
6 members abstained from the vote.
3 countries were not present at the vote.
The commission of inquiry could be the first step toward establishing a U.N. war crimes tribunal for East Timor.

Sources:

Reuters: "U.N. Rights Panel Votes to Investigate East Timor"
Jordan Times: "UN panel votes for East Timor inquiry"