Rights body blames govt for gang rapes

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)