Komnas HAM and nationalists

Komnas HAM and nationalists

From Koran Tempo

The Indonesian National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) has published a report about a mass grave in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam, one that reportedly could have been dug during the present military emergency period in the territory. Various groups in society have reacted strongly to this report owing to its controversial and, what some say, one-sided nature. As the source of these reports were local people and therefore cannot be verified through a cross check on the ground, it will only undermine the efforts of those involved in the current integrated operation in Aceh.

Unless Komnas HAM clarifies this report, they will be beaten by a mob just like the Commission on Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) was beaten about a month ago. Kontras was mobbed because the community felt greatly annoyed with this commission's sensational and incorrect reports as well as its lack of Nationalism. Indonesians can no longer be deceived like before. So that means Indonesians need correct news to distinguish good from bad.

The Indonesian government does not completely prohibit Komnas HAM from sending an investigative team to Aceh, but the result of the investigation must be objective and accurate, and the commission must not publish sensational reports even if true. Why hasn't the commission investigated the burning of over 400 school buildings there? Why hasn't the commission investigated the destruction of electrical relay stations, a crime which I think must have been committed by the Free Aceh Movement (GAM)? The burning of school buildings and the destruction of electrical relay stations constitute a serious violation of human rights as these acts negate the rights of the community to enjoy education and electricity.

JOKO PRIYONO Bekasi, West Java