Probe of alleged rights abuses in Timika begins

Probe of alleged rights abuses in Timika begins

JAKARTA (JP): A three-member team from the National Commission
on Human Rights has begun investigating alleged abuses of human
rights in Timika, Irian Jaya.

The team of Marzuki Darusman, Clementino Dos Reis Amaral and
Soegiri has met with security officials, representatives of
copper company PT Freeport Indonesia and members of the Amungme
and Kamoro tribal communities.

A Timika Roman Catholic priest, Nato Gobay, proposed yesterday
that the team also meet with Jayapura bishop Mgr. H.M.F.
Moninghoof, Antara reported.

The bishop sent a letter to the Commission earlier alleging
that 17 people were killed on Freeport grounds by soldiers
assigned to guard the company's plants.

Freeport has denied accusations that its security personnel
ever participated in the reported clashes, which occurred from
late last year to the beginning of this year.

The Armed Forces said the clashes were between troops and
separatist rebels and caused only one or two casualties. The
initial report was filed by the Australian Council for Overseas
Aid.

Moninghoof has also called on the Indonesian Conference of
Church Elders in Jakarta to look into the allegations.

Earlier this month the Commission received other reports from
five non-governmental organizations that related the clashes to
the villagers' opposition to Freeport's activities.

Gobay said the Commission is scheduled to visit the villages
of Tsinga and Hoya to meet members of the Amungme and Kamoro
communities.

Councilor Anthonious Rahail, chairman of the Irian Jaya branch
of the Indonesian Democratic Party, hailed the Commission's
investigation. (anr)