South Moluccas: Questions In Dutch Parliament
The Dutch Foreign Affairs Committee has questioned the Minister of Foreign Affairs on the current Moluccan human rights situation in
Answering questions from two Dutch MPs, Martijn Van Dam and Harry Van Bommel, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maxime Verhagen, commented on the state of human rights within Indonesia and the role the Netherlands was playing, particularly in the wake of the so-called ‘Flag Incident’ on 29 June 2007.
The incident centres on an attempt by Republik Maluku Seletan (RMS) members to unfurl an RMS flag in front of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono during an official ceremony marking National Family Day in
Some commentators have speculated that elements within the Indonesian regime knew of the event and sought to exploit it. The official response to the incident, involving the detention of Moluccans and the dismissal of a police chief and military chief could be a reflection of internal power jostling within the Indonesian state and military organs.
Nevertheless, Mr Verhagen confirmed that The Netherlands was monitoring events and had raised concerns with
The Southern Moluccas have been part of
Note: A transcript of the Foreign Affairs Committee meeting can be accessed via: