Rights body slammed over Flores violence

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