Committee to probe Aceh human rights abuses

JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie has agreed to a plan for the establishment of an independent committee to investigate human rights violations in Aceh, a minister said on Monday.

Minister of Justice Muladi said the committee would be first assigned to conduct a thorough, honest, and accurate inquiry on the alleged massacre of 40 people by the military in Krueng Geukueh, 15 kilometers west of the North Aceh capital of Lhokseumawe on May 3, before probing other cases.

"Its membership will be decided later," Muladi, who is also minister/state secretary, said after meeting with the President along with Minister of Defense/Indonesian Military (TNI) Chief Gen. Wiranto and Attorney General A.M. Ghalib at Merdeka Palace.

Thousands of people gathered in Krueng Geukueh to protest the unnecessary force used by soldiers during a house-to-house search in the nearby hamlet of Cot Murong two days before.

Military troops opened fire on the protesters after some began to pelt the soldiers with stones. Lilawangsa Regional Military Commander Col. Johnny Wahab insisted his troops opened fire "in self-defense".

The local government has set up a fact-finding team which includes local members of the Red Cross, government officials, students and members of non-governmental organizations to investigate the incident.

The incident was the latest in a succession of violent clashes between the military and campaigners for a referendum on independence in the troubled province.

In a visit to Banda Aceh two months ago, Habibie promised to investigate human rights abuses during the eight-year military operation in Aceh starting in 1989. Many Acehnese believe at least 1,000 people had been killed during the operation.

"This (establishment of the committee) is a positive step from the President and the government to respond to allegations that we tolerate human rights abuses," Muladi hinted.

Meanwhile, Antara reported an unidentified group burned two vans, owned by the United Development Party (PPP) and Islamic Community Party (PUI), in Teunom district, in West Aceh on Saturday.

Provincial PPP's chairman Muhammad Yunus said the people in the car were on their way to Krueng Sabe to attend a campaign.

The 30 people in the group demanded the PPP supporters to follow their efforts to boycott the general election in the province.

When the PPP supporters refused, the mob poured gasoline on the Kijang van and burned it.

"They were so brutal, we could not stop them," said Yunus on Sunday.

The PUI car was burned by a group of youths when it was parked at Teunom market. The party leaders had toured the small town to announce the party's campaign schedule there.

A similar incident also occurred on Thursday in the regency. Pro-referendum groups are stepping up their campaigns to boycott the election. (prb)