Irian youths press govt to further probe into Timika

Irian youths press govt to further probe into Timika

JAKARTA (JP): Pressure is mounting on the government and the
National Commission on Human Rights to further investigate
allegations of human rights abuses by military personnel in
Timika, Irian Jaya.

The provincial chapter of the Indonesian National Youth
Committee urged the authorities yesterday to investigate the
reported killing and torture in the town, said to have involved
members of the Armed Forces and also employees of giant American
copper mining company PT Freeport Indonesia. The youth group
added that the findings of the inquiry should be made public.

Chairman Berry Dean Yoku told the Antara news agency that the
authorities should follow up on whatever findings they reach and
submit written reports to every concerned party.

Yoku said that "certain parties" had been intimidating Amungme
tribesmen who are involved in the investigation being conducted
by the human rights commission.

"We strongly protest against such actions," he said, adding
that his organization was ready to assist the investigation.

Yoku called on Irianese youths to beware of attempts to incite
them to demonstrate because, he said, that would create
opportunities for "irresponsible" parties to manipulate them.

Earlier this week, some 70 Irian youths and students in
Jakarta held a peaceful demonstration at the House of
Representatives, demanding a thorough investigation of the
alleged atrocities. Calling for transparency in the investigation
process, the protesters openly accused Freeport of being involved
in the killings.

"We don't care who did it, Freeport or the security troops,
but punishment should be meted out to the guilty party," one of
the coordinators of the protest said.

Freeport representatives in Jakarta have denied that the
company had played any part in any clash between security
officers and protesters in Timika.

A team from the human rights commission has visited the site
to obtain first hand information. While its initial investigation
did not find any evidence corroborating the allegations, another
team has reportedly been dispatched for Timika this week to talk
with more people.

In related development, Army Chief of Staff Gen. R. Hartono
promised yesterday that the Army will treat whatever findings the
commission reaches as "positive input."

The commission's findings would help the Army in viewing the
Timika case "more clearly" and in taking "further steps," he
said, as quoted by Antara.

Hartono said that the Armed Forces (ABRI) will investigate the
allegations more deeply than the commission and will prepare a
complete report, which will be submitted to the Armed Forces
chief.

Hartono said that, contrary to public opinion on the matter,
ABRI was the first party to launch an investigation into Timika.
"It's just that we didn't make noise about it," he said.

He promised that ABRI would not "arbitrarily" defend its men,
but also called on the public to understand the reasons for the
military's presence in the province.

ABRI is in the territory not only to maintain security, he
said, but also to improve the local people's welfare.

"Please try to understand the condition of the region, and
what's really happened there," he said. "The public should not
just take sides without having information about the matter."

"Remember, clandestine activities are also present in Irian
Jaya," he said, possibly in reference to secessionist activities
carried out in the province by the Free Papua Movement.

Protests regarding the Timika case started when five non-
governmental organizations filed a complaint this month with the
National Commission on Human Rights over allegations that 17
civilians had been killed, 25 tortured and four others had
disappeared in Timika.

Bishop Munninghof of Irian Jaya brought a report of human
rights violations in Timika, prepared by an Australian aid
organization, to the attention of the Indonesian Bishops'
Conference in Jakarta. (swe)