Govt 'lacks will' on disappearances<\/p>\n
Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post\/Jakarta<\/p>\n
The government is being urged to take action to relieve the pain
\nof thousands of families across the country who do not know the
\nfate of loved ones who disappeared because of their political
\nbeliefs.<\/p>\n
National Commission on Human Rights chairman Abdul Hakim
\nGaruda Nusantara said one of the first priorities had to be
\npreventing future disappearances by reforming the law enforcement
\nsystem.<\/p>\n
"Those who have been accused of perpetrating forced
\ndisappearances must face justice. If proven guilty, they must be
\nprosecuted .... The government must resolve these cases," he said
\non Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Abdul Hakim acknowledged that such prosecutions would be
\ndifficult due to the poor condition of law enforcement in the
\ncountry.<\/p>\n
"It is not easy but must be pursued. The House of
\nRepresentatives should exercise political pressure on the
\ngovernment, demanding it take this issue seriously. These human
\nrights violations could jeopardize the democracy that we are
\ntrying to build," he said.<\/p>\n
Abdul Hakim said the rights body had set up a team to focus on
\ncases of forced disappearance, but emphasized that it would
\ncooperate with the government and law enforcers, especially when
\ninvestigating cases in conflict areas.<\/p>\n
At least 1,000 people are documented to have disappeared in
\nNanggroe Aceh Darussalam during prolonged military operations
\nagainst separatists there, while dozens of others have reportedly
\ndisappeared in other conflict areas such as Papua and Poso, South
\nSulawesi.<\/p>\n
Human rights activists believe most of these people
\ndisappeared due to their political beliefs and activities, which
\nwere considered a threat to those in power.<\/p>\n
No one has been prosecuted for forced disappearances despite
\nreports from victims who resurfaced years after allegedly being
\nkidnapped by police or military personnel.<\/p>\n
"A law protecting witnesses, victims and human rights
\nactivists is necessary and should be a priority. Combined with
\nreform in the legal system and government, such cases might find
\ntheir way to the light at the end of the tunnel," said Abdul
\nHakim.<\/p>\n
Legal expert Harkristuti Harkrisnowo agrees that action and
\npolitical will are needed to bring cases of forced disappearance
\nto the surface.<\/p>\n
"We have all the laws and procedures to deal with human rights
\nissues. However, it is a completely different matter if none of
\nthese regulations are implemented," she said.<\/p>\n
Harkristuti also said a law protecting witnesses and victims
\nwas essential to provide assurance that these people would not be
\nintimidated if they stepped forward.<\/p>\n
"A draft of such a law was submitted to the House sometime in
\n1999, but nothing has been done," she said.<\/p>\n
She urged the new administration to start viewing human rights
\nviolations from the viewpoint of the victims, and to start doing
\nmore to ease the pain of those who have and continue to suffer.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/govt-lacks-will-on-disappearances-1447893297",
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