Rights body blames govt for gang rapes

JAKARTA (JP): The National Commission on Human Rights put the blame squarely on the government yesterday for the rampant rapes and sexual assaults during riots in Jakarta and other cities in May, denouncing its attitude toward the victims as "insensitive".

"The security vacuum during the riots points the blame at the state, on the neglect by civilian and military leaders in providing effective protection, which in turn allowed these sexual assaults to become widespread," the commission said.

It also said that the increasing use of violence by some members of society was partly encouraged by the various forms of violent practices conducted by the state for many years.

In a statement, the commission called on the government to declare that the rapes took place as a starting point to restore the honor of victims.

The commission said the rampant sexual assaults by gangs of cruel people followed a standard pattern, targeting mainly helpless women and children from the ethnic Chinese community. But it noted that women from other communities also suffered.

The government and the public should mobilize solidarity and sympathy for the victims, and forge a common commitment to give protection to the victims, witnesses and volunteers who are assisting them, it said.

The commission "demands that the government issues an apology for its failure in providing protection to its citizens".

It proposed the immediate establishment of a commission to investigate the riots and prosecute the culprits, particularly those responsible for sexual assaults.

The statement was read by member Saparinah Sadli at a media conference attended by deputy chairman Marzuki Darusman and members Clementino Dos Reis Amaral, Soegiri and Asmara Nababan.

The Armed Forces has said its own investigation did not find any evidence that rapes occurred, and pointed out that not a single victim had come forward to lodge an official complaint.

State Minister of Women's Affairs Tutty Alawiyah had earlier taken the same stand but, following public pressure, she announced Wednesday the formation of an all-women team to help those who were sexually abused during the riots. First Lady Ainun Habibie is patron of the team, which is headed by Tutty.

Data

Several voluntary women's groups have compiled data of these rapes and interviewed the victims. They were the first to raise the alarm about the sexual abuse because victims were too terrified and ashamed to come forward.

The commission "regrets the lack of the moral response from the public to the reports of sadistic rapes, and notes with deep concern the government's skepticism which influenced public opinion to doubt these reports in the absence of any evidence.

"They are insensitive to the psychological burdens sustained by the victims and their families. This has intensified their plight because they feel that they have to bear this calamity alone".

Marzuki and Clementino said several commission members had talked to victims of the abuse enough to become convinced they had occurred.

Clementino warned of a possible attempt at a cover-up because some victims had received threats if they went public with their ordeal.

The commission said the rapes occurred during riots that began on May 12, and had gone on up until as late as one week ago.

"Some of the reports suggested these sadistic rapes were conducted in the open, often in front of their own families.

"This widespread sexual violence can be qualified as an act of intimidation, or even terror, directed at a certain ethnic group.

"They amount to a violation of human rights which can be regarded as a criminal act against humanity," the statement said.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the Supreme Advisory Council A.A. Baramuli disclosed yesterday that the military might announce the "mastermind" behind the May riots in Jakarta next week, Antara reported.

Baramuli, who is also a member of the human rights commission, met with the ethnic Chinese community in Pluit and other residential areas in North Jakarta to convince them that the government was serious in trying to uncover the facts behind the riots. He appealed for their cooperation in the government's investigation. (byg/emb)