Student blood<\/p>\n
The death of four students at the hands of unidentified gunmen
\nduring a demonstration at Trisakti University in West Jakarta on
\nTuesday is a national tragedy. Those who sprayed bullets on the
\nmass of innocent and unarmed young people deserve world
\ncondemnation. The authorities should quickly investigate the
\nincident and bring the guilty parties to justice.<\/p>\n
Today, every Indonesian should also ask himself or herself how
\nsuch vindictive murders can be committed in a country which
\nclaims it respects human rights.<\/p>\n
Every bloody tragedy in our country's past has brought up this
\nsame question, yet history repeats itself in a no less inhuman
\nway. It would be hard to find an example similar to the Trisakti
\ntragedy except in countries with governments that do not value
\nhuman rights.<\/p>\n
At this point, it is difficult to point a finger at any one
\ngroup for the shootings. It would be shocking if members of the
\nArmed Forces (ABRI), which handles student demonstrations, were
\nfound to be at fault because the military has a manual
\nstipulating that shooting demonstrators is a last resort and, if
\nfound necessary, should be carried out to immobilize rather than
\nto kill. Another possibility could be that certain individuals
\nhave decided to take advantage of the current struggle for reform
\nto create instability.<\/p>\n
In light of the unclear situation, we welcome the
\nestablishment of an ABRI fact-finding team to uncover the facts
\nof the tragedy. We sincerely hope the team will work objectively
\nand transparently -- with a public announcement of the results.
\nIt is only in this way that the authorities can restore a sense
\nof peace and calm to the hearts and minds of the people.
\nYesterday's emotional public reaction over the Trisakti bloodbath
\nshows that patience has its limits.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, a failure of the team to satisfactorily
\ninvestigate the incident would put ABRI in a light of public
\nsuspicion. This would, of course, be the last thing anyone would
\nwish to see because it would create worse tension between those
\ndemonstrating for reform and the military, whose job it is to
\nkeep the protests peaceful.<\/p>\n
The authorities should also take into consideration the strong
\nreaction from the international community against the tragedy.
\nThis reaction may not only be expressed verbally but could also
\ntake the form of financial and economic steps -- a response this
\nnation could ill afford during this time of economic turmoil.<\/p>\n
While we wait for the results of the investigation, ABRI
\nshould also increase discipline in its ranks since it is quite
\nlikely that future demonstrations will only intensify.<\/p>\n
Our history has taught us that the fall of martyrs in any
\nnational cause has never deterred activists from continuing their
\nstruggle. Instead, such instances often bolster a cause.<\/p>\n
Today's crusade for reform has gained support from people of
\nall segments of society. There is no previous example in the
\ncountry's history showing a fight for a reform enjoying such huge
\npublic backing. Demonstrations for reform have spread to all
\nmajor provincial cities throughout the archipelago.<\/p>\n
To avoid further tragedy, Indonesians from all walks of life,
\neven those of privilege or political clout, may have to make a
\nsacrifice in a show of patriotism to pull our country back on its
\neconomic feet to walk the way to needed reform.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/student-blood-1447899208",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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