ABRI, police set up teams to trace victims of May riots
JAKARTA (JP): The Armed Forces (ABRI) and National Police will conduct separate investigations into the massive rioting that rocked Jakarta and other major cities in May, causing the death of 1,200 people and abuse of hundreds of women.
ABRI is preparing an independent fact-finding team to identify the masterminds behind the riots and also to help victims, including the assaulted women, leading humanitarian volunteer Sandyawan Sumardi said yesterday.
"I was invited to the Armed Forces Cilangkap headquarters today (yesterday) to discuss the establishment of the ABRI- initiated fact-finding team," Sandyawan of Volunteers of Humanity told The Jakarta Post by phone.
He said he was still considering whether to accept the invitation to join the team.
"I still need to learn how independent the fact-finding team will be. (If it's not independent), it would be useless for me to join," he said. "In the meantime, I will continue giving advocacy to the rape and looting victims."
He said he received reports about heinous crimes committed during the rioting from relatives of 40 to 120 victims every day.
Human rights lawyer Nursyahbani Katjasungkana, who was also invited to the meeting chaired by the Armed Forces chief of general affairs, Lt. Gen. Fachrul Razi, said she would join the team and give her utmost to its objectives.
The team, which will include officials of the Armed Forces headquarters, the ministries of justice, home affairs, foreign affairs, the Attorney General's Office, the National Commission on Human Rights and several non-governmental organizations (NGOs), will be declared at the justice ministry tomorrow.
The riots, occurring in the capital on three consecutive days in mid-May, triggered lawlessness and violence in several parts of the country.
A report from the National Commission on Human Rights said at least 1,188 people were killed in the rampages, while the Volunteers for Humanity reported 168 cases of rapes against women and minors during the riots and until as recently as July 3.
The team from the National Police will consist of policewomen from the detective and intelligence units, police chief Lt. Gen. Roesmanhadi said separately yesterday.
Roesmanhadi said policewomen were employed because they were expected to be more sensitive in dealing with rape victims. He added police were trying to erase the image of being "formal and stern" even in handling such sensitive cases.
"Police face various difficulties here. We have checked with three local hospitals and a Singaporean hospital and also coordinated with non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the National Commission on Human Rights and volunteers team.
"But, we have not found any rape victims until today. It is hard to start a solid investigation without reports from the victims.
"Well... we have to be honest here. The fact that nobody came forward and gave us significant leads makes it difficult for us to trace the case," he added.
He said police believed there had been rapes," ...but to tell you the truth, it is... hard to solve as there has been no solid testimony, no witnesses, moreover no suspects."
Police have also opened a complaint mail box, numbered 7777 for city police headquarters and 777 for police precincts. (imn/edt)