No rift in team probing May unrest, Marzuki says
No rift in team probing May unrest, Marzuki says
JAKARTA (JP): Human rights campaigner Marzuki Darusman denied
on Wednesday that a rumored rift between members of the team
investigating the May riots caused the postponement of the
announcement of its findings.
Marzuki, who chaired the government-sponsored joint team, said
"technical problems" delayed the scheduled Oct. 23 release.
"This is only a problem of how to formulate (the final report)
because we come from various backgrounds."
He added that the differences in members' background meant the
process to reach consensus was longer than a homogeneous group,
but said stories of discord were untrue.
"There is no split, deadlock or whatsoever," Marzuki said on
the sidelines of a human rights workshop. He added the team was
expected to complete the final draft report by the end of this
week.
"So, I think we will present the findings to the government
early next week." He did not specify a date.
Separately, however, a member of the team, Bambang Widjojanto
expressed on Wednesday utter disappointment over the inordinately
arduous method of the team's work, lambasting at its contention
about some petty things.
"I and other team members from non-governmental organizations
have demanded that the team conclude its final report as soon as
possible, otherwise we will simply get out of it," added Bambang,
Director of the Foundation of Indonesian Legal Aid Institute.
"We are deadly tired of having to argue about and fight for
things that are not principal but simply editorial in nature. If
the team is really serious about and willing to accomplish its
mission, it can finish the final report within a few hours,"
Bambang said.
The 18-member team -- comprised of representatives from the
Armed Forces (ABRI), government agencies, the rights commission
and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) -- is assigned to
investigate and, if possible, unveil the perpetrators of the
riots.
The team is also investigating claims made by human rights
groups that there were rampant sexual assaults and rapes during
rioting which killed about 1,200 people and led to Soeharto's
resignation from the presidency.
Marzuki said earlier the team hoped to be able to avoid any
dissenting views but had not ruled out the possibility that some
members might refuse to sign the final report.
"We do not foreclose that from happening because it is a team
where the members are independent and able to have their own
views even if they had a consensus on general reporting of the
whole investigation ... they might want to present individual
view on some issues." Marzuki said on Oct. 22. (byg)