No proof of massacre at Tanjung Priok: Djoko
No proof of massacre at Tanjung Priok: Djoko
JAKARTA (JP): The National Commission on Human Right (Komnas
HAM) announced on Friday that it had found no evidence of
intentional mass killings or burials in the 1984 Tanjung Priok
bloody shootings in North Jakarta.
The commission, led by chairman Djoko Soegianto, reported its
final conclusion of the incident to the House of Representatives.
"The shootings were forcibly carried out by the security
officers (at the time) after being attacked by the masses," Djoko
said.
However, the commission concluded that human right violations
did occur in the incident, conducted by both the security
personnel and the mobs, he said.
The incident claimed the lives of 33 people.
As many as 24 people were killed by the security officers,
while the remaining nine -- all family members of Tan Kioe Liem
-- by the angry masses.
The soldiers, Djoko added, tortured 36 people, who suffered
severe injuries.
The commission also found several other human right abuses,
such as prohibiting people from performing their prays, damaging
houses of worship and attacking security officers, he said.
The commission, Djoko explained, recommended that the central
government comprehensively solve the Sept. 12, 1984 clash by,
among other things, apologizing and giving compensation to the
family of the victims.
"We also urge the Indonesian Military (TNI) chief (Adm. Widodo
A.S.) to investigate all security officers involved in the
incident, especially their commanders," he said without
elaborating.
The report of the commission's final conclusion will be
submitted to the central government, the TNI chief and the House
immediately, saying that Komnas HAM has no legal power to conduct
a further investigation.
When asked to comment, House deputy speaker A.M. Fatwa said he
was dissatisfied with the report, but insisted that he could
understand the authority of the commission.
He vowed to help push the government to soon follow up the
report.
Komnas HAM set up the Commission of Inquiry into Human Rights
violations (KPP HAM) in Tanjung Priok in March to investigate the
bloodshed.
Several people and former top officers, such as former Armed
Forces chief Gen. (ret) L.B. Moerdani and former vice president
Gen. (ret) Try Sutrisno, have been questioned by the members of
KPP HAM.
The clash between civilians and military personnel erupted
following emotionally charged lectures at Tanjung Priok's Rawa
Badak Mosque by preachers, who were reportedly criticizing the
government. (jun)