ABRI faulted for unsolved rights cases<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The National Commission on Human Rights
\nattributes poor human rights protection in 1998 and the backlog
\nof unresolved violations to the Armed Forces (ABRI) perceived
\ninability to act and its sorry public image.<\/p>\n
In its assessment released on Wednesday on the country's human
\nrights record last year, the commission reminded President B.J.
\nHabibie's administration that human rights protection and
\npromotion were its responsibility. It also questioned why
\nsecurity personnel and law enforcement agents were unable to
\nresolve gross violations of human rights.<\/p>\n
In a statement read by Clementino dos Reis Amaral, the
\ncommission said it tried to fathom why \"the Armed Forces (ABRI)
\nappeared to be helpless in overcoming violence and ending...
\nuncertainty about causes and background of violence\".<\/p>\n
The commission noted that unless cases of violations were
\nfollowed up with just and speedy legal process, public
\nfrustration could boil over into more violence.<\/p>\n
\"The responsibility is again on the shoulders of the Armed
\nForces, which is seemingly powerless,\" the commission said.<\/p>\n
The announcement followed a plenary session led by chairman
\nMarzuki Darusman, who was also present during the news
\nconference. Also attending were commission members Bambang W.
\nSoeharto and H.R. Djoko Soegianto.<\/p>\n
The commission noted that \"ABRI, as an institution, seems to
\nhave been facing internal obstacles that were created by a
\npoliticization process (and) this weakens its integrity...<\/p>\n
\"The obstacles within ABRI (show) it is still vulnerable to
\nvested interests (so it is compelled) to cover up violations...
\nthat could tarnish its image\".<\/p>\n
The commission acknowledged that military personnel in the
\nfield face a dilemma over the obligation to their security duties
\nagainst the fear of being accused of violating human rights.
\nThese fears, the commission added, were used to justify inaction.<\/p>\n
It warned that the failure to act could boomerang with the
\nloss of public trust in security apparatus.<\/p>\n
\"With ABRI's image at its lowest ebb, the expanding violence
\nwould be difficult to curb because of the absence of (public
\nrespect for) its personnel,\" the commission said.<\/p>\n
The body also discussed violations of human rights committed
\nby many other parties, including members of the public. It
\nattributed them to the feeling that criminal acts could be
\ncommitted with impunity.<\/p>\n
\"The commission is deeply concerned over the poor protection
\nof human rights and over Indonesia's vulnerability to violations,
\nas shown in various cases of violence and in the failure to solve
\ncases of gross violations of human rights over 1998.\"<\/p>\n
The body cited the shooting of Trisakti University students in
\nMay, the mid-May riots here and several other cities, the
\ngruesome murders of 200 Muslim clerics and alleged witchcraft
\npractitioners in East Java and other areas, the clash between
\nstudents and the military at the Semanggi cloverleaf in Jakarta,
\nthe riot in Ketapang, West Jakarta, and in Kupang, East Nusa
\nTenggara. The cases have yet to be resolved.<\/p>\n
\"Also noted was the violence against women, sexual violence
\nand even murders, and the involvement of children as either
\nvictims or perpetrators in various incidents of violence.\"<\/p>\n
The body recommended the government regularly issue
\nexplanations about cases of gross rights violations and their
\nhandling.<\/p>\n
\"This is necessary to appease public suspicion that there is
\ncampaign to cover up the possible involvement of ABRI personnel
\nat various levels of responsibility.<\/p>\n
\"If ABRI is unable, then the President should do it,\" the body
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Among its other recommendations were a call for the
\n\"systematic depoliticization\" of ABRI to free it from influence
\npeddling by elite political groups. It is needed for ABRI to act
\nas an effective and professional national force, which can make
\ncorrections at all levels, including the rank and file.<\/p>\n
It suggested the government should consider separating the
\ndefense and security ministerial post from the ABRI commander.
\nThe positions are held concurrently by Gen. Wiranto.<\/p>\n
It also recommended the government immediately ratify
\ninternational human rights mandates, in particular the
\nInternational Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,
\nInternational Covenant on Social, Economic and Culture Rights and
\nthe International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
\nRacial Discrimination.<\/p>\n
The commission also urged a halt in the ongoing trial of 11
\nelite troops charged with abducting political activists. It said
\nthere were indications the trial was not being conducted fairly
\nfor either the defendants or plaintiffs. (29)<\/p>",
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