Komnas HAM demanded to investigate eviction cases

Komnas HAM demanded to investigate eviction cases

Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas
Perempuan) urged the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas
HAM) to set up a team to investigate serious human rights abuses
allegedly committed against the urban poor by the city
administration.

The Komnas Perempuan chairwoman Saparinah Sadli told a press
conference on Friday that forced evictions by the city
administration of poor people from their homes and the outlawing
of their sources of livelihood could be categorized as serious
human rights abuses.

"There are strong indications that the city administration
under the leadership of Governor Sutiyoso has committed crimes
against humanity, particularly against poor residents working in
the informal sector and those living in slum areas," she said.

Saparinah, who read the Komnas Perempuan statement, said the
fact that the forced evictions were being conducted based on a
systematic plan was sufficient indication that the city
administration had resorted to violent means in dealing with the
poor.

"Such abuses are systematically implemented. This is clearly
designed with a certain target in view and with clear financial
support," she said.

According to Saparinah, the Komnas HAM Inquiry Committee (KPP
HAM) should at least investigate forced evictions by the city
public order agency since early 2001.

Komnas Perempuan's secretary-general Kamala Chandrakirana,
denied a statement made by Komnas HAM's secretary-general Asmara
Nababan saying that there was no strong legal basis for taking
the city administration to court over the alleged human rights
violations.

Asmara claimed that the forced evictions were covered by
United Nations Commission on Human Rights Resolution Number 77,
which was issued in 1993.

"It is clearly stated in our law that forced evictions
constitute crimes against human beings," Kamala said quoting
Article 9 (d) of Law Number 26 on human rights tribunals, which
was enacted in 2000.

According to Kamala, the city administration under Sutiyoso
had no intention of ending the forced evictions as it had
rejected a call for a 100-day moratorium proposed by Komnas
Perempuan.

Saparinah said that the North Jakarta administration had
clearly rejected the moratorium proposal and had stated that the
forced evictions were part of official policy.

Saparinah said that Komnas HAM should conduct an investigation
as the conventional courts were unable to resolve the problem.

Komnas Perempuan also urged the City Council to revise Bylaw
No. 11 of 1988 on public order, which had been used by the city
administration to conduct the forced evictions.

Forced evictions and property seizures involving poor people
From January to October 2001:

* 45 cases of forced evictions, including the destruction and
burning of property. Victims: 38,514 people. Losses: 6,588 homes,
and six schools.

* Seizure of becak (pedicabs). Victims: 6,000 pedicab
drivers. Losses: 3,000 pedicabs worth Rp 500,000 each.

* 54 cases of forced eviction against street vendors. Victims:
2,700 street vendors. Losses: Rp 540 million.