Kontras continues to offer hope to victims

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.