Joint fact-finding team warned 'not to hold anything back'

JAKARTA (JP): A human rights activist has exhorted the government-sponsored joint fact-finding team probing the May riots not to hold anything back when it announces its findings on Friday.

Munir, the coordinator of the independent Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras), said here on Tuesday the team should report everything they learned had happened in the riots that killed more than 1,200 people and in which women were reportedly sexually assaulted.

"The team should reveal the true story about the riots and report what really happened," Munir said.

The government established the team on July 23 to investigate the riots that rocked several cities in the country in May. The 18-member team comprises representatives of the Armed Forces (ABRI), government agencies, the National Commission on Human Rights and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

The team has also investigated the allegation of rampant sexual assaults and rapes during the riots.

Munir said many had warned since the team's founding that it must not compromise on its task.

"The success of the team will depend to what extent the results can be accepted by all members. If not all the members sign the team's recommendations, (people would detect that) there may be political problems within the team."

The Indonesian Legal Aid and Human Rights Association (PBHI) has doubted the team's impartiality due to the inclusion of ABRI members.

Team member Nursyahbani Katjasungkana told The Jakarta Post by telephone on Tuesday that the members planned to meet six government officials who signed the decree on the team's establishment on Thursday.

The six are Minister of Defense and Security/Armed Forces Commander Gen. Wiranto, Minister of Justice Muladi, State Minister of Women's Affairs Tutty Alawiyah, Minister of Home Affairs Syarwan Hamid, Attorney General Andi Muhammad Ghalib and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas.

Nursyahbani said the officials had yet to confirm the meeting.

"If we fail to meet the officials, the public expose of findings may be delayed," Nursyahbani said. (byg/27)