Kontras denies report on activists

JAKARTA (JP): The Independent Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) yesterday denied a Berita Buana report that it had said 12 political activists still missing since last year were already dead.

"I never made such a statement and the daily didn't even interview me," Kontras coordinator Munir told reporters at the Indonesian Legal Aid Institute office in Central Jakarta.

The daily reported yesterday that Munir had said the missing activists were already gone and therefore had urged the Armed Forces (ABRI) to publicly announce it.

"I have called the daily demanding a retraction of the news report," Munir said.

He maintained that he believed the activists were still being held by their abductors or had been taken to a very distant location, where it was impossible for them to communicate with their families.

"It is the obligation of the minister of defense/Armed Forces commander (Gen. Wiranto) to announce the fate of these missing activists.

"He must do this as soon as possible to end ongoing speculation over whether the activists are still alive," he added.

Wiranto said last month that he did not know the whereabouts of the missing activists but pledged to keep searching for them.

ABRI has admitted that members of the Army's Special Force (Kopassus) may have been involved in the abductions in the run-up to the general session of the People's Consultative Assembly last March.

It also formed an honor council earlier this month to probe the alleged involvement of three high-ranking Kopassus officers.

Kontras reported that at least 21 activists had gone missing since last year. Nine of them have resurfaced and talked of their abduction and torture. (byg)