Activists call for excavation of all suspected mass graves
Activists call for excavation of all suspected mass graves
JAKARTA (JP): Activists, responding to Armed Forces (ABRI)
Commander Gen. Wiranto's skepticism over figures for victims of
alleged military atrocities in Aceh, are urging the excavation of
all suspected mass grave sites to put lingering doubts to rest.
Coordinator for Aceh's office of the Foundation of the
Indonesian Legal Aid Institute (YLBHI) Yacob Hamzah said in
Lhokseumawe, North Aceh, Saturday that the action was also needed
to give the dead proper Islamic burials. He said he was confident
of the presence of bodies.
Since the lifting of Aceh's status as a military operation
area early this month, Yacob said, the institution began listing
all locations where human rights violations were allegedly
committed by the military.
According to the YLBHI data, in North Aceh alone there are 12
suspected mass graves in Gunung Salak, Cot Panglima, Bukit Salam,
Bukit Seuntang, Bukit Tengkorak, Gunung Damanik, Cot Girek, the
local water company, Rancong, a location in PT Satya Agung,
Langkahan and the SP-4 area.
"The figure could be higher," he said.
The National Commission on Human Rights' fact-finding team
excavated one of the 12 mass graves two weeks ago. Doctors
identified nine human skeletons.
The commission announced Monday that at least 782 people were
killed, 368 tortured, 3,000 women widowed and between 15,000 to
20,000 children orphaned during the military operations between
1989 and 1998 to quash the spate of separatist rebellions. In
addition, 168 people were reported missing over the same period.
Last Wednesday, Wiranto expressed doubt about the accuracy of
the data and criticized the commission for going public with its
findings without checking with the military first.
Some local people claimed family members went missing after
being picked up by military personnel.
"We've given up hope as none of men and women picked by those
unknown persons have ever returned," said a middle-aged woman who
said one of her children disappeared in March 1992.
Antara said locals believed their missing relatives were dead.
Chief of Lilawangsa military command Col. Dasiri Musnar denied
any knowledge about the missing persons, pointing out that it was
never the doctrine of the Armed Forces to justify sadistic deeds.
"People may not believe me, but what I'm saying is true that I
really don't know about the violence and sadistic actions toward
innocent people here," Dasiri said.
Separately Saturday, Minister/State Secretary Akbar Tandjung
promised that the government would care for the orphaned children
and widows. He said Minister of Social Services Justika Baharsyah
would soon begin arrangements.
He said the government welcomed any input and additional
information about the situation in Aceh, adding that President
B.J. Habibie would soon issue a statement on the matter and the
mid-May riots. (emf)