Abduction probe powerless: Kontras
JAKARTA (JP): Human rights activists say National Military Police investigating the abduction of political activists were "powerless" and that the 11 members of the Army's Special Force (Kopassus) suspected of the crime were still on the loose.
The independent Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) said on Friday it had "strong indications the 11 Kopassus member (involved in the abductions) were not being detained (by the National Military Police)."
Kontras' coordinator Munir explained the group's opinion after attending a closed meeting with members of the National Commission on Human Rights.
National Military Police Chief Maj. Gen. Syamsu Djalal has repeatedly said the 11 Kopassus members were being held at National Military Police headquarters in Central Jakarta.
Rights commission deputy chairman Marzuki Darusman, however, told The Jakarta Post on Friday it was "possible" the Kopassus personnel were not detained by the Military Police.
"A military source told me they could stay 'outside' as long as there is a guarantee that the suspects will not flee (abroad) and destroy the evidence," Marzuki said, adding the court-martial of the 11 Kopassus members will begin on Nov. 3.
Munir said on Wednesday that five of the nine activists who resurfaced after being abducted had seen a number of their abductors on the streets recently.
BBC radio reported on Thursday that Syamsu had dismissed the allegation, saying it was "nonsense".
The Military Police has so far rejected appeals from human rights groups demanding access to the unnamed 11 Kopassus members saying they could only meet the suspects at the court-martial.
Separately, Antara reported on Friday that Kopassus chief Maj. Gen. Syahrir M.S. called on the media to ask Syamsu himself whether it was true the 11 Kopassus members were not in the Military Police's custody.
Syahrir, however, asserted that the 11 Kopassus members have been handed over to the Military Police and were now in their custody.
Munir reiterated his protest against the Military's plan to submit the dossiers of the 11 Kopassus members to the court- martial next Wednesday since it has yet to locate 14 other activists still missing.
Munir said it was likely they would be prosecuted only for their involvement in the abductions of the nine activists who have resurfaced.
"It is also likely they will not be charged with torture since the Military Police has never carried out medical examination on the nine activists who have returned," Munir said, adding that marks from physical torture are still found on the activists' bodies.
Munir has argued that no military tribunal should be held until all of the missing activists reappear because it would not be legally feasible to bring the officers to another trial for the same case should evidence be found later on.
Kontras estimates that at least 24 activists went missing beginning in April last year. One was found dead last May. The nine who resurfaced related harrowing tales of physical and mental torture.
The Armed Forces announced the alleged involvement of Kopassus members in the abductions of political activists in July.
Reconciliation
Later in the day, the National Commission on Human Rights met with President B.J. Habibie but failed to reach an agreement on the name and mission of a planned national reconciliation body.
They only agreed to set up a working group to discuss the differences and find a possible compromise in 90 days.
"There is an objection in the term 'national reconciliation'. Pak Habibie prefers 'forum for national consolidation'," Minister of Justice Muladi said after the meeting at the State Guest House.
Muladi said the government has insisted that the commission not only focus on human rights problems but also on development, social and economic problems and security and defense affairs.
"We still have some differences with the government. The government wants comprehensive reforms, but we want to start with concrete steps," said Marzuki. (byg/prb)