Senator HILL (Environment and Heritage) (3:04 PM) —I have a response to a question asked by Senator Brown yesterday. I seek leave to have it incorporated in Hansard .

Leave granted.

The answer read as follows—

Senate Question

Reported killings at Biak, Irian Java

Senator Brown asked the Minister representing the Minister for Foreign Affairs, on 23 November 1998

1. What information does the Government have about the massacre at Biak and the subsequent murder of up to 137 people aboard an Indonesian ship where they were taken offshore from Biak following the raising of the West Papuan flag on the morning of 1 July in Biak?

2. What form of protest has the Government made to the Indonesian authorities and what moves is the Government making to ensure a full, open and independent international inquiry into this shocking set of events?

3. When did the Government approach two Australians, Mr Paul Meixner and Ms Rebecca Casey, who were in a house adjacent to the wharf when the original massacre took place?

4. Will the Minister be able to report back to me or to the Senate about the safety of up to 20 political prisoners, including Dr Philip Karma, who were dragged from their homes and have been charged with rebellion following the massacres by the Indonesian troops?

Senator Hill—The answer to the Senator's question is as follows:

1. An officer from the Australian Embassy in Jakarta visited Biak 11-14 July this year and looked into initial reports of the incident. Based on this visit the Australian Embassy has few doubts that human rights abuses did occur and that the security authorities used excessive force against members of the local community. The Australian Embassy has received differing reports from NGO and Church sources (indeed, between Church sources), from the Indonesian Military, from an Indonesian Parliamentary fact-finding team, and from the Indonesian Human Rights Commission (Komnas Ham). The Embassy also spoke to Australian Volunteers Abroad members, Mr Paul Meixner and Ms Rebecca Casey during a visit to Biak on 11-14 July. The range of estimated deaths from these various sources went from one to over 100. The source who provided Mr Meixner and Ms Casey with information, reported that he knew of 20 people who had died, and made mention of some people who had been dropped off a boat at sea. Allegations of bodies being dumped at sea—while if true are obviously of grave concern—have been the most difficult to confirm. Indonesian National Human Rights Commission told the Embassy that they could not establish a positive link between bodies that had washed up on the shore and the Biak incident.

2. Mr Downer raised his concerns personally about the Biak incident, and human rights in Irian Jaya in general, with President Habibie and Indonesian Ministers Wiranto and Alatas during his visit to Jakarta, 8-10 July this year. He called for the authorities to exercise restraint in its relations the community. Mr Downer also discussed the issue with Komnas Ham, which subsequently sent a fact-finding mission to Irian Jaya. On 14 November Mr Downer again raised the Biak incident with Mr Alatas when they met at the APEC meeting in Kuala Lumpur. The Embassy has followed up on the Minister's July representations, including during visits to Irian Jaya between 31 July and 5 August.

The Australian Embassy raised the issue with the military authorities and the vice-Governor of Irian Jaya, and has consistently urged the Indonesian military to exercise restraint in dealing with civil protests, where-ever these occur in Indonesia.

3. An officer of the Australian Embassy spoke to Mr Paul Meixner and Ms Rebecca Casey during a visit to Biak on 11-14 July.

4. The Embassy is following up with the ICRC on the question of the Dr Karma and others arrested at the time of the Biak incident.