Kontras continues to offer hope to victims
Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Although the grief was over, the feeling of loss was still palpable during the seventh anniversary of Kontras last week, almost six months after Munir's murder.
The anniversary was special, because it was the first anniversary without Munir, the founder of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras).
"We feel that our work poses more challenges without him. He was our inspiration, he was our leader and friend. He often gave us insights when we were facing problems," Usman Hadi, coordinator, said after the modest celebration at the office on Jl. Borobudur, Central Jakarta.
"However, without him we are learning how to remain confident, working on our own feet," he added.
Within the short span of seven years, Kontras has managed to remain in the forefront of fighting justice for victims of violence and the families who lost their children or spouses due to forced disappearances.
It has also become home for those people, who visited the anniversary aboard a rented minibus, to meet friends and other victims.
"We've been helping investigate a variety of cases," Usman said.
Three largest cases on Kontras' hands are, first, Tanjung Priok, where the military crushed a popular movement and arrested some local Muslim leaders in 1984. Several Tanjung Priok residents were reported killed and lost due to the violence.
The second case is on victims of the killing and the forced disappearance of members of the Indonesian Communist Party and other people who were accused of having involvement with the party.
The third concerns advocacy for victims of violence and the shooting in Talangsari, Lampung in 1989.
Apart from these three, Kontras also supports families of victims of forced disappearances during the attack against the then Indonesian Democratic Party headquarters in Jakarta on July 27, 1996.
Kontras' works focus on gathering data and statements from witnesses. The data now fills a six square meter room at the office.
"There are still many papers containing important information on cases in another room," Usman said.
Started with only five volunteers, Kontras now boasts more than 20 full-time staff members and hundreds of volunteers who provide information and network every time Kontras needs data.
"We have provided initial data for Komnas HAM (the National Commission for Human Rights) to investigate further," Usman continued.
Komnas HAM's role in bringing state violence perpetrators is crucial; therefore, Kontras' progress depends largely on Komnas HAM's work.
"But the key to make Komnas HAM really work for justice is the political will of the government and the House of Representatives," Usman said.
Meanwhile, as the House and the government are kept busy with other problems, Kontras continues to become a "home" for the victims, giving them a ray of hope that one day the perpetrators will be brought to justice.