Committee to probe Aceh human rights abuses
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)