Kontras denies report on activists

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)