Activists abducted by organized group

JAKARTA (JP): The National Commission on Human Rights said yesterday that student and political activists who went missing recently were abducted by a well-organized group.

"They did not disappear voluntarily," the commission said in a statement commenting on a string of disappearances of people known to be very critical of the government.

Nine of the 14 people who were reported missing have resurfaced in the last two weeks. Only one, Pius Lustrilanang, has gone public with an account of his experiences, including torture, at the hands of an unknown group.

Pius flew to the Netherlands on Monday, saying that his abductors had threatened to kill him if he spoke out about what had happened.

The other eight activists who have returned home all refused to speak publicly, although one or two are believed to have spoken to the commission on the condition that details were not disclosed to the public.

The five activists still reported as missing are Sonny, Yani Avri, Suyat, Herman Hendrawan and Bimo Petrus.

"These forced disappearances are a terrible abuse of human rights," the commission said, invoking the Criminal Code, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Declaration for People against Forced Disappearance.

"Given that the victims were taken beyond the reach of legal protection, the actions amounted to a violation of human values.

"They caused suffering on the part of the victims and their families, spread fear among society and tarnished the image of the nation.

"In principle, a forced disappearance is a violation of civil rights and freedom, and a comprehensive and total denial of the norms and order of civilized politics."

The commission "condemns these forced disappearances," it added.

The commission held a meeting at its office to discuss the issue yesterday, after which the statement was read out by deputy chairman Marzuki Darusman. He was accompanied by commission members Miriam Budiardjo, Albert Hasibuan, B.N. Marbun, Clementino dos Reis Amaral, Djoko Soegianto and Soegiri.

"Based on the accounts of those who have returned, we can conclude that the abductions were carried out by a well organized" group, it said.

"There is now a growing perception among the public that there is a possibility that the state security apparatus was involved."

The commission questioned the attitude of the Armed Forces (ABRI), and particularly that of the National Police, saying that they had "failed to instill confidence in the public that they intended to fulfill their political and legal responsibilities, or convey the gravity of the problem and take the actions necessary to calm public fears."

The statement noted that ABRI Commander Gen. Wiranto, who is also Minister of Defense and Security, had clarified that there was never any order to abduct people issued by the military, and that ABRI would strive to find those who were still missing.

The commission said: "His statement should be backed by a guarantee for the safety of those who have returned and spoken out about their experience."

The commission issued a series of recommendations which included:

* Calling on ABRI and the government to immediately take coordinated and firm actions to investigate the disappearances. Those responsible should be prosecuted.

* Proposing the establishment of a national commission of investigation.

* Calling on the government to rehabilitate and compensate the victims of abductions to restore their integrity.

* Calling on the government and the House of Representatives to quickly ratify the convention against torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading acts.

* Calling on members of the public who possess information about the disappearances to voluntarily come forward. The human rights commission will treat them in confidentiality if necessary.

Earlier, one of the abducted activists, Haryanto Taslam, visited the commission's office, but refused to disclose details of his ordeal.

The deputy secretary-general of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) under Megawati Soekarnoputri's leadership maintained that his silence was out of concern for the others still listing as missing.

Haryanto disappeared in Jakarta on March 9 and reappeared on April 19 in Surabaya, his home town.

He was only willing to state yesterday that his disappearance had to do with political activities undertaken in his capacity as PDI deputy secretary-general.

"I have a moral obligation to those who were abducted and whose whereabouts are still unclear," Haryanto said.

"I think members of the commission are intelligent enough to interpret my response of 'no comment'," he added.

"It is true that I cannot give a lengthy explanation, although I know that you want to hear an honest and clear account."

Haryanto said he believed that extensive media coverage of the abductions would help to enlighten the public about what really happened.

The disappearances were also discussed at the monthly meeting of cabinet ministers under the charge of Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Gen. Feisal Tanjung.

Chief of the State Intelligence Coordinating Body Lt. Gen. (ret.) Moetojib, who took part in the meeting, said the government was considering establishing a fact-finding team to verify accounts given by the returnees.

"All parties, including the government, should get a clear insight into the veracity of the cases before drawing any conclusions and deciding on further action," he told reporters after the meeting.

Moetojib said Pius' account given to the commission Monday was only one of many reports which needed further investigation and clarification.

"Pius' account is only one side of the story," he said. (byg/imn)