VIII Other News
| Date | 01 March 1994 |
| Author | Hans Goderbauer |
| Published date | 01 March 1994 |
| DOI | 10.1177/016934419401200111 |
| Subject Matter | Part B: Human Rights News |
Human Rights News
situation, conducting investigations and making recommendations. Phrased in guarded
terms, the Commission is also tasked with examining UN human rights instruments 'with
a view to presenting suggestions regarding the possibility of accession to and or
ratification of these instruments'.
While the Commission has yet to enter upon its duties, its effectiveness may
nevertheless be doubted in advance. Established by decree instead of by legislation (which
would enable parliament to discuss the matter), it lacks a firm legal foundation. The
Commission, although authorized to conduct investigations, also lacks the power both to
compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents and to protect
witnesses or complainants. Doubts may also rise because of the questionable record of the
Commission's chairman, Ali Said, a retired army Lt. General and a former Attorney-
General and Minister of Justice, who, as a military judge, chaired the Extraordinary
Military Tribunal in a number
of
political trials following the alleged 1965 communist
coup attempt.
Although the decree was issued in June Gust a few days before the Vienna World
Conference), it was not until December that the Presidential Palace could announce the
composition
of
the Commission. The - rather embarrassing - delay was due to the fact
that a number of people, approached by Ali Said to join the Commission, eventually
declined his offer. Among them were prominent human rights advocates who argued that,
in their eyes, the Commission was set up for the most part to serve public relations ends.
The Commission - the second in ASEAN after the one in the Philippines - adds to
an interdepartmental committee on human rights, established by ministerial decree in
1991, and a parliamentary human rights group, formed in 1992. Both institutions have,
however, not been given much publicity nor is there relevant information on their
competence and status.
VIII OTHER NEWS
The
Ariel Sallows
Chair
in
Human
Rights
College
of
Law, University of Saskatchewan invites applications for the Ariel Sallows
Chair in Human Rights.
*
*
*
*
The Ariel Sallows Chair will be
of
interest to persons who have made distinguished
contributions to the research or practice of human rights. The accomplishments of the
applicant can be within any discipline relating to human rights, and may have been
made anywhere in the world.
The holder of the Chair, although responsible for teaching one human rights seminar
to be designed in accordance with her or his expertise and interest, will be primarily
engaged in pursuing research projects concerning human rights. Office space,
secretarial services, limited travel funds, and other research support will be provided.
The value of the award will be commensurate with the experience and standing of the
holder. The length of occupancy is subject to negotiation, but in no case may exceed
two years. The tenure of the award must be spent in residence at the College of Law,
University
of
Saskatchewan.
Interested persons may write to:
Dean of Law, College
of
Law
University
of
Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada S7N
OWO
91
To continue reading
Request your trial