Govt's use of force must be accountable: Activists

JAKARTA (JP): The state should be accountable for its frequent use of force, said speakers at last week's seminar commemorating Tempo's, Editor's and Detik's ban on June 21, 1994.

Speakers at the seminar held at Taman Ismail Marzuki Arts Center said the public should courageously demand government accountability when state apparatus resorts to violence in dealing with peaceful discord.

"We don't have forums to question the philosophy behind the use of force in the name of 'national stability'" human rights advocate Abdul Hakim Garuda Nusantara said.

Other speakers at the seminar organized by journalists and artists of "Committee 21" included sociologist Arief Budiman and chairman of the Indonesian Legal Aid Institute Foundation, Bambang Wijayanto.

News weekly Tempo was closed down for "editorial content" that the government did not clearly specify, while DeTIK and Editor were banned for administrative reasons.

This month, the Supreme Court decided in favor of the government after the lower courts ruled in favor of the highly popular magazine.

During last Thursday's seminar, security officers and hundreds of Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) activists clashed near Gambir railway station, about one kilometer west of the seminar venue.

Dozens of people from both sides were reportedly injured in the incident.

Abdul Hakim said that after Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto sent troops to put down a riot, she was questioned by parliament.

But the Indonesian House of Representatives did not question why troops were sent to put down an uprising in Aceh, Northern Sumatra, several years ago, he reasoned.

Bambang told The Jakarta Post the House should exercise its right to question the government's use of force when settling peaceful protests.

Legislators have so far failed to make laws concerning this, partly because House rules make it difficult for them to critically question government policies.

Bambang said legislators should review legal instruments which justify the use of force, including non-physical violence.

Such legal instruments include 1994 decree No. 1 by the Minister of Information which allows the withdrawal of publishing licenses.

Arief Budiman said opposition to the State's use of violence must carry a degree of legitimacy and intellect: "Megawati (PDI chief) uses legal arguments (to defend her leadership). But without adequate intellect an opposition movement breaks easily."

Opposition should make the public critical. This requires creativity which artists should contribute, he said. (anr)