NGO calls for restrictions on military in Priok trials

Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The Institute for Public Research and Advocacy (Elsam) urged the ad hoc human rights tribunal on Thursday to ban soldiers and the military symbols from the courtroom in order to maintain the court's impartiality.

"Although there is no written regulation prohibiting defendants from wearing military attributes or soldiers from attending the trial, they could be putting psychological pressure on witnesses and even the judges," Elsam program coordinator Amiruddin Harahap told a media conference.

Elsam was commenting on the trial of 14 military personnel, 11 of them still active, including the Army's Special Forces (Kopassus) chief Maj. Gen. Sriyanto Muntrasan, who are standing trial for their alleged involvement in the Tanjung Priok massacre in 1984.

The court has always been packed by Kopassus soldiers during Sriyanto's trial in what appears to be a coordinated show of strength.

Some witnesses went to the National Police recently to file a report on intimidation by the Kopassus soldiers. They also demanded protection.

The active military officers implicated in the gross human rights violations at Tanjung Priok have always worn their uniforms during their trials.

While there is no legislation barring a defendant from wearing military uniform, or his or her supporters from packing the courtroom, the Supreme Court has banned any attending a court from carrying any sort of weapon.

"This is the least that the chief of the Central Jakarta District Court should do, and, if possible, extend it to the use of military attributes and the attendance of soldiers, which has the potential to disrupt the trials," Amiruddin said.

By wearing their uniforms and allowing their soldiers to pack the courtroom, the officers seemed to regard the trials as targeting the military as an institution, whereas the officers were standing trial in their individual capacities, Elsam said.

"The defendants, especially those who are still active, should not take the advantage of their current position. The military should know that providing legal aid and advice is enough," said Amiruddin.

Elsam said the attendance of large numbers of soldiers in the courtroom could disrupt public access to the trials, especially when the soldiers deliberately refused to let relatives of the victims and witnesses, the media, and rights and observer groups enter the courtroom.

The court is hearing testimony from witnesses in the trials of Col. Sutrisno Mascung and 10 of his men, Maj. Gen. (ret) Pranowo, and Maj. Gen. (ret) Rudolph Butar-Butar. Their trials were adjourned until Oct. 17, 18, and 19 respectively.

The judges also adjourned the trial of Sriyanto until Oct. 20 to allow them to decide whether the trial can proceed.