Riot probe team postpones presentation of findings<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The team investigating the May riots has
\npostponed the disclosure of its findings scheduled for Friday,
\nuntil next week due to "technical problems," it was announced on
\nThursday.<\/p>\n
Human rights campaigner Marzuki Darusman said the team members
\nwould still have to "finalize" their report before presenting it
\nto the six ministers who signed the decree on the team's
\nestablishment in July.<\/p>\n
"There are still some points that have to be agreed upon by
\nthe members," Marzuki, who is also the deputy chairman of the
\nNational Commission on Human Rights, said.<\/p>\n
He did not elaborate.<\/p>\n
When interviewed by Reuters, team member Asmara Nababan
\nattributed the postponement to "technical problems".<\/p>\n
Asked to comment about the rumored friction between team
\nmembers and that some would refuse to sign the final report,
\nMarzuki said: "We hope to be able to avoid any dissenting views
\nbut that has not foreclosed the possibility that some members
\nmight want to (refuse to sign).<\/p>\n
"We do not foreclose that from happening because it is a team
\nwhere the members are independent and able to have their own
\nviews. Even if there is a consensus on the general reporting of
\nthe whole investigation... they might want to present individual
\nviews on some issues."<\/p>\n
The 18-member team comprises representatives from the Armed
\nForces (ABRI), government agencies, the rights commission and
\nnon-governmental organizations (NGOs). It was entrusted with the
\ntask of investigating and, if possible, unveiling the instigators
\nand perpetrators of the riots, which some say were organized.<\/p>\n
The team is also investigating claims made by human rights
\ngroups that there were rampant sexual assaults and rapes during
\nthe riots which killed 1,200 people and led to the downfall of
\nformer president Soeharto.<\/p>\n
Rights activists have exhorted the team not to hold anything
\nback when it announces its findings.<\/p>\n
"I think (the findings) will be a report that generally
\nreflects public knowledge of what actually happened during the
\nriots and the emphasis will be on the recommendation (to the
\ngovernment)," Marzuki said.<\/p>\n
The team told the House of Representatives in September its
\nbelief there were links between the unrest and the abductions of
\npolitical activists and the fatal shooting of four Trisakti
\nUniversity students on May 12.<\/p>\n
Activists, including those from the Volunteers for Humanity
\nled by Catholic priest Sandyawan Sumardi, have said that 168
\nwomen and children were raped or sexually assaulted during the
\nriots, 20 of whom reportedly died or have since committed
\nsuicide.<\/p>\n
Sandyawan is also one of the team members. (byg)<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/riot-probe-team-postpones-presentation-of-findings-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }