Jakarta – An NGO has urged President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to issue a presidential decree concerning the establishment of an ad hoc human rights court.

"The House of Representatives made several recommendations to the President related to human rights in Indonesia," deputy director of Policy Research and Advocacy (Elsam) Indriaswati Saptaningrum, told a conference in Jakarta on Wednesday.

"This includes establishing an ad hoc human rights court to try those behind the abduction of government critics in 1997 and 1998."

Elsam urged the President to investigate what had happened to 13 kidnapped activists who had remained missing since then.

Families of the missing people and victims of human rights abuses that occurred in 1998 and 1999 have fought for justice, but to no avail.

"As a candidate who included upholding human rights in his agenda during the July presidential election, it's about time President Yudhoyono demonstrated his commitment to these rights," Indriaswati said.

"If he fails to do this, his administration will look bad and lose trust both internationally and domestically."

Elsam's special staffer for politics and human rights, Amiruddin Alrahab, said the newly elected legislators should also show their commitment to human rights by continuing to urge the President to establish the human rights court even though it had been recommended by the previous House members.