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)