Return activists 'must explain their whereabouts'<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Rights campaigner Marzuki Darusman pleaded
\nyesterday that three political activists who have just returned
\nafter reportedly disappearing for weeks should not stay silent
\nbut explain their much-publicized disappearance for the sake of
\nthose still missing.<\/p>\n
Marzuki, the deputy chairman of the National Commission on
\nHuman Rights, said without clear explanation that the public
\nwould get the impression that people who went missing would
\neventually turn up just like that.<\/p>\n
\"This is a serious problem. Neither the authorities nor
\nmembers of the public can make light of this. They should not
\nblur the fine line between 'missing' and 'disappearing',\" he told
\nThe Jakarta Post here.<\/p>\n
He said the commission had arranged to meet this Friday with
\nthe three activists: Haryanto Taslam of the Indonesian Democratic
\nParty (PDI); Pius Lustrilanang, a member of Siaga, which is a
\nloose association of supporters of government critics Amien Rais
\nand Megawati Soekarnoputri; and Desmond J. Mahesa of a legal aid
\ninstitute in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Haryanto, a loyalist of ousted PDI leader Megawati
\nSoekarnoputri, returned to his family Sunday after being missing
\nsince March 9 in Jakarta. Pius and Desmond returned to their
\nrespective homes in South Sumatra's capital Palembang and South
\nKalimantan's capital of Banjarmasin respectively after
\ndisappearing for two months.<\/p>\n
\"They need not worry about coming forward and telling the
\ntruth, as the commission will urge the Armed Forces and the
\nauthorities to guarantee their safety,\" Marzuki said.<\/p>\n
Otherwise, efforts to search for those still reported missing
\nwould be hampered, he added. \"By not telling the truth, those
\nstill missing will be left unprotected.\"<\/p>\n
According to the Foundation of the Indonesian Legal Aid
\nInstitute (YLBHI) eight political activists are still missing --
\nAndi Arief, Herman Hendrawan, Faisol Riza, Rahardjo Waluyo Djati,
\nBimo Petrus, Suyat, Yani Avri, and Sonny.<\/p>\n
YLBHI confirmed yesterday that three activists previously
\nreported missing -- Nezar Patria, Mugianto, Aan Rusdianto -- have
\nbeen found to be under detention by the Jakarta Police.<\/p>\n
Many people have alleged that the military are behind the
\ndisappearance of the activists but the Armed Forces have denied
\nany involvement.<\/p>\n
In a recent interview with Gatra magazine, Desmond said he was
\nnot sure who kidnapped him, but said: \"There were three men, one
\nin a car, two with guns, who grabbed me and pushed me into the
\ncar.\" He said the abduction took place in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
He also said he later found himself confined in a luxurious
\nroom with iron bars across the window, and questioned by men
\nabout his political activities.<\/p>\n
\"I just told them over and over again that I didn't know
\nanything. Maybe that's why they eventually let me go, thinking
\nthat I am not a dangerous person,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Jakarta Regional Military Commander Maj. Gen. Sjafrie
\nSamsoeddin said yesterday he was considering summoning Pius and
\nHaryanto for questioning over their disappearance.<\/p>\n
\"Just wait for it. Our investigation will surely come to that
\nstage,\" he told reporters after the opening of a six-day national
\ndiscussion on reforms, organized by the Association of Indonesian
\nMoslem Students.<\/p>\n
He said the police, as part of the city's integrated security
\nsystem, would probably take the initiative to summon them for
\nquestioning.<\/p>\n
Sjafrie said the police investigation would come after the
\nNational Commission on Human Rights had completed its
\nquestioning.<\/p>\n
\"The rights commission will tell us the results upon
\ncompletion of its investigation,\" he said. (ind\/imn\/aan)<\/p>",
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