NGO calls for restrictions on military in Priok trials
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.