Rights body slammed over Flores violence

JAKARTA: Activists assisting victims of last year's police shooting in Manggarai regency on Flores island have criticized the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) for "not being serious" about the case.

"We are extremely disappointed over the slow response of Komnas HAM to this case .... The commission has given a lot of excuses when asked about its responsibility," said a statement from the Advocacy Team for the Manggarai People on Thursday.

Komnas HAM has launched an investigation into the March 10, 2004, incident that left at least five people dead and 28 others wounded. However, no suspects have been named in the attack.

Police officers opened fire on about 400 villagers who stormed the Manggarai Police station in Ruteng to demand the release of seven villagers being detained there.

According to a preliminary investigation by the police, officers opened fire only after the villagers attacked them.

Activists have blamed the incident on Manggarai Regent Antony Bagur, who barred locals from farming in a disputed protected forest and ordered the arrest of seven owners of a coffee plantation there. --JP