Inquiry into Aceh rights abuses to continue

Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) rejected on Tuesday the government's request that the rights body seek official confirmation of any abuses against civilians it finds in war-torn Aceh.

Chairman of Komnas HAM Abdul Hakim Garuda Nusantara said that as an independent institution, the rights body was accountable to the public.

"We have to maintain our independence in upholding human rights and if we fail to do so, how could we stop rights abuses and bring the perpetrators to court?" Garuda told reporters after a meeting with Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at the latter's office.

Garuda said the commission would continue disclosing to the public any alleged rights abuses it uncovered in Aceh, where the military offensive to crush rebels has entered its sixth week after martial law was imposed on May 19.

"I beg Pak Susilo's understanding that in a conflict situation such as in Aceh, it is not easy to obtain clarification in the field. Therefore, instead of making public denials through the media, why don't the security authorities probe into reports of abuses against civilians," he said.

The meeting took place on the heels of the commission's recent disclosure of reports on rampant human rights abuses in the province since the martial law came into effect. Among the reports were the finding of a mass grave in Nissam district in North Aceh, the formation of armed militia groups, rapes, torture and extrajudicial killings.

Both the government and the Indonesian Military (TNI) denied the reports and urged the commission to provide evidence, while TNI Chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto questioned the validity of the rights abuse reports, saying that the commission had collected information from a "trash can".

The rights body sent on Tuesday another a team to verify the reports, the second since May 19.

Garuda urged the government to provide protection for witnesses and victims of the violence in Aceh, although the bill on the issue is still being deliberated by the House of Representatives.

He said the meeting on Tuesday did not specifically cover the reports, but discussed efforts on how to stop violence against civilians anywhere in the country.

During the meeting, both parties also agreed to appoint Zoemrotin K. Soesilo from the commission and Rachsobawono, the minister's deputy for legal and human rights affairs, as the persons in charge of handling the Aceh rights issue.

Meanwhile, Lt. Gen. Sudi Silalahi, an assistant to the minister, said that the findings and reports obtained by the rights body were necessary to help the military and police stay informed as to whether rights abuses took place.

"But we hope the commission will think twice before revealing cases, so that the people will not get confused," Sudi said.