Rights group probes Garut arrests
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Bandung
The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) is investigating possible human rights abuses in the arrests of more than 600 villagers during police raids on forest settlers in Garut regency, West Java.
The commission sent a three-member team, comprising Saafroedin Bahar, Taheri Noor and Amidhan, to Garut on Friday for the three- day investigation.
The team started the probe by meeting with government officials in Garut, including those from the local land office and other relevant agencies, Antara reported on Saturday.
The team will meet with the Garut Police chief and visit the villages where the suspects were arrested.
It also plans to meet with West Java Forestry Monitoring and Sundanese Land Environment Board (DPKLTS) chairman Solihin G.P.
Komnas HAM chairman Abdul Hakim Garuda Nusantara was quoted as saying that the team was sent to verify a report of a land dispute that led to the arrests of villagers by police.
West Java Police Insp. Gen. Dadang Garnida said at least 613 farmers had been rounded up during the raids, which began on Aug. 14.
The suspects were accused of illegally working land belonging to state forestry company Perhutani and the forestry ministry, he said.
Also arrested were at least 27 businessmen charged with providing the farmers with funds to clear land in forests and grow what they order.
They were rounded up in three Garut forests -- Talagabodas, Papandayan and Sancang.
The farmers and their financiers are charged with violating Law No. 5/1990 on natural resources conservation, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in jail or a fine of Rp 200 million (US$23,809).
Despite protests from human rights activists, Dadang said the raids, called the Wanalaga Lodaya Operation, were legal and would continue until Sept. 23 to prevent further destruction of Garut forests.
Garut Regent Dede Satibi said that about 95,000 hectares, or 30 percent, of the forests in his regency had been seriously damaged.
Komnas HAM has urged the police to stop the raids to avoid violence.
Opposition against the raids also came from the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) and the Garut Students and Youth Committee.
Last Wednesday, dozens of residents from Garut rallied at the West Java legislative council to protest the arrest of family members.
The protesters denied that plots of land they had been working on were forested areas belonging to Perhutani.