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)