ICG Responds to Expulsion Threat in Indonesia

The International Crisis Group learned from the Indonesia media this morning that serious accusations were made against its Jakarta-based director, Sidney Jones, in a meeting yesterday between the National Intelligence Agency (BIN) and Commission I, the committee of the Indonesian Parliament responsible for security affairs.

In response to a question earlier today, Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda reportedly told journalists and political party activists that ICG's reports were biased, and that the government had the right to expel whomever it chose.

To date, ICG has received no direct communication from the Foreign Ministry, BIN, or immigration with respect to its work or the visas of its staff. The only indication that something was amiss was the refusal of the Ministry of Labour to extend work permits for ICG staff, based on a "complaint". When ICG asked in March 2004 who the complaint was from, and what the nature of its contents was, Ministry of Labour officials said they could not respond to either question.

"How can we answer charges when the charges are made in secret?" says Jones. "I would be more than happy to appear before Commission I and respond in detail to whatever questions Commission members would like to pose." Jones also notes that she has been trying unsuccessfully for the last two months to meet with BIN Director Hendropriyono to discuss ICG's work.

ICG has been in Indonesia since 2000. The Jakarta office is one of nineteen field offices of the Brussels-based organisation that produce analyses of conflict around the world. The Jakarta office has produced reports on Aceh, Papua, Maluku, Poso, police and military reform, decentralisation and terrorism.

ICG President Gareth Evans says, "I have total confidence in the competence and integrity of Sidney Jones and ICG's Jakarta team. If General Hendropriyono, the Foreign Minister, or anyone else have complaints about our work, we will be only too happy to answer them fully and directly. I think the Indonesian government should take into account that if we are expelled from Indonesia, this will do far more damage to Indonesia's reputation than ICG's."