House supports probe into disappearances

House supports probe into disappearances

JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives urged the state
security apparatus yesterday to "seriously investigate" the
abduction of student and political activists.

The legislative body also said the investigators should be
unpartisan in their inquiry.

"The security apparatus should seriously investigate the
abductions of the student and political activists," House Speaker
Harmoko said while addressing the plenary opening session of the
House commissions' hearings.

"Such seriousness can be expected to restore the confidence of
the people and the countries involved in helping Indonesia settle
its economic crisis," he said.

He asked the security apparatus to conduct a thorough
investigation into the case.

"Equal legal treatment against any legal violation is
important because Indonesia is a state based on law," he said.

The Armed Forces (ABRI) headquarters has set up a team to
investigate the cases of the missing persons and determine
whether any members of the military were involved in the
disappearances.

The team includes the chief of the military police, the
assistant for security and social order and the Armed Forces
assistant for intelligence.

ABRI Commander Gen. Wiranto has repeatedly insisted that there
has never been any instruction or policy in the Armed Forces to
abduct people.

Commenting on the Armed Forces' team of investigators, Harmoko
suggested that they not work alone but cooperate with other
institutions and the public.

"If anybody or any institution, including the House and the
National Commission on Human Rights, have information on the
abduction of the activists, they should report it to the team,"
he said.

The rights commission said Thursday that the abductions were
carried out by an organized group and acknowledged that there was
a growing opinion among the public that there was a possibility
the state security apparatus was involved.

Nine of the 14 people who were reported missing have
resurfaced in the last three weeks. Only one, Pius Lustrilanang,
has gone public with an account of his experiences, including
torture, at the hands of an unknown group.

A lawyer representing Pius, Hendardi, said yesterday that the
team of investigators should immediately begin their duties as
there is enough evidence to carry out an investigation into the
case.

"Several of the abducted activists have testified before the
rights commission and the Legal Aid Institute," he said, "The
investigation should start immediately."

He said that the security apparatus should not be concerned
about Pius' overseas travel as it was within his rights to go
abroad.

"Pius has not been accused of any criminal charges," Hendardi
said, "He is free to visit any places he wants to go."

"His overseas travel should not be used to switch the issue of
abducted activists into a case of Pius' nationalism," he said.

Pius flew to the Netherlands last week, citing that his
abductors had threatened to kill him if he spoke out about his
abduction. (imn)