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)