Activists hold rally to mark reform failure
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Hundreds of activists, skeptical about the government's effort to protect the people's rights, held a rally in Jakarta on Wednesday, expressing disappointment that the reform era failed to curb state violence against civilians.
The activists also condemned the arrogance of the Indonesian Military (TNI) officials, saying "they are now safer and stronger again under the administration of President Megawati Soekarnoputri."
The rally, which was held in conjunction with the commemoration of the fourth anniversary of the National Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras), attracted hundreds of representatives from various groups, ranging from non-government organizations and students to families of the victims.
The rally started with a protest march from Kontras' office on Jl. Mendut to the University of Indonesia's compound on Jl. Salemba Raya.
During the long march, dancers performed a Kuda Lumping traditional dance.
Also present at the rally were Munir, former coordinator of Kontras, Ori Rahman, coordinator of Kontras, Bara Hasibuan, former member of the National Mandate Party (PAN), and Wardah Hafidz from the Urban Poor Consortium (UPC).
In his speech, Munir condemned Megawati, who used to symbolize the fight against the oppression by the military during the New Order regime, for her failure to stand at the people's side and stop the military's actions.
He was referring to a series of violent incidents that occurred during Megawati's tenure as president, including the mysterious killing of noted Papuan independence figure Theys Hiyo Eluay in November last year.
The death of the Papuan Presidium Council leader (PDP), which reportedly occurred only hours after he attended the commemoration of the National Heroes Day at the Army's Special Force (Kopassus) station at Hamadi, Jayapura, sparked speculation about the involvement of the military in the murder.
Nevertheless, after months of investigation, both the government and the military teams have yet to disclose whether or not any element of the military was involved.
Munir expressed further disappointment at Megawati's failure to hold several generals responsible for gross human rights abuses, including the Trisakti, Semanggi I and Semanggi II killings that claimed dozen of people's lives.
The officers were former armed forces chief Gen. (ret) Wiranto, former chief of the Army's Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad) Lt. Gen. Djadja Suparman, as well as former Jakarta Military commander and also incumbent TNI spokesman Maj. Gen. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin.
The generals have even shown contempt for the law by refusing to abide by summonses sent by the inquiry team established by the National Commission on Human Rights in charge of probing the killings.
In the middle of Kontras' effort to encourage a campaign to subpoena the generals, dozens of people attacked and vandalized its office last week, causing major damages, including the disappearance of some important documents regarding the military's rights abuses in several troubled regions such as Aceh and Papua.
In a show of solidarity, a number of the TNI's top brass, including TNI chief Adm. Widodo A.S. and the Army Chief of Staff Gen. Endriartono Sutarto, appeared before the human rights tribunal on Tuesday, as their soldiers were being tried for committing crimes against humanity in East Timor. Many believe that their presence would interfere with the trial.
"The military has got back their domination under Megawati's rule," Munir said.