NGO calls for restrictions on military in Priok trials<\/p>\n
Urip Hudiono
\nThe Jakarta Post
\nJakarta<\/p>\n
The Institute for Public Research and Advocacy (Elsam) urged the
\nad hoc human rights tribunal on Thursday to ban soldiers and the
\nmilitary symbols from the courtroom in order to maintain the
\ncourt's impartiality.<\/p>\n
\"Although there is no written regulation prohibiting
\ndefendants from wearing military attributes or soldiers from
\nattending the trial, they could be putting psychological pressure
\non witnesses and even the judges,\" Elsam program coordinator
\nAmiruddin Harahap told a media conference.<\/p>\n
Elsam was commenting on the trial of 14 military personnel, 11
\nof them still active, including the Army's Special Forces
\n(Kopassus) chief Maj. Gen. Sriyanto Muntrasan, who are standing
\ntrial for their alleged involvement in the Tanjung Priok massacre
\nin 1984.<\/p>\n
The court has always been packed by Kopassus soldiers during
\nSriyanto's trial in what appears to be a coordinated show of
\nstrength.<\/p>\n
Some witnesses went to the National Police recently to file a
\nreport on intimidation by the Kopassus soldiers. They also
\ndemanded protection.<\/p>\n
The active military officers implicated in the gross human
\nrights violations at Tanjung Priok have always worn their
\nuniforms during their trials.<\/p>\n
While there is no legislation barring a defendant from wearing
\nmilitary uniform, or his or her supporters from packing the
\ncourtroom, the Supreme Court has banned any attending a court
\nfrom carrying any sort of weapon.<\/p>\n
\"This is the least that the chief of the Central Jakarta
\nDistrict Court should do, and, if possible, extend it to the use
\nof military attributes and the attendance of soldiers, which has
\nthe potential to disrupt the trials,\" Amiruddin said.<\/p>\n
By wearing their uniforms and allowing their soldiers to pack
\nthe courtroom, the officers seemed to regard the trials as
\ntargeting the military as an institution, whereas the officers
\nwere standing trial in their individual capacities, Elsam said.<\/p>\n
\"The defendants, especially those who are still active, should
\nnot take the advantage of their current position. The military
\nshould know that providing legal aid and advice is enough,\" said
\nAmiruddin.<\/p>\n
Elsam said the attendance of large numbers of soldiers in the
\ncourtroom could disrupt public access to the trials, especially
\nwhen the soldiers deliberately refused to let relatives of the
\nvictims and witnesses, the media, and rights and observer groups
\nenter the courtroom.<\/p>\n
The court is hearing testimony from witnesses in the trials of
\nCol. Sutrisno Mascung and 10 of his men, Maj. Gen. (ret) Pranowo,
\nand Maj. Gen. (ret) Rudolph Butar-Butar. Their trials were
\nadjourned until Oct. 17, 18, and 19 respectively.<\/p>\n
The judges also adjourned the trial of Sriyanto until Oct. 20
\nto allow them to decide whether the trial can proceed.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ngo-calls-for-restrictions-on-military-in-priok-trials-1447893297",
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