Riot probe team postpones presentation of findings

Riot probe team postpones presentation of findings

JAKARTA (JP): The team investigating the May riots has
postponed the disclosure of its findings scheduled for Friday,
until next week due to "technical problems," it was announced on
Thursday.

Human rights campaigner Marzuki Darusman said the team members
would still have to "finalize" their report before presenting it
to the six ministers who signed the decree on the team's
establishment in July.

"There are still some points that have to be agreed upon by
the members," Marzuki, who is also the deputy chairman of the
National Commission on Human Rights, said.

He did not elaborate.

When interviewed by Reuters, team member Asmara Nababan
attributed the postponement to "technical problems".

Asked to comment about the rumored friction between team
members and that some would refuse to sign the final report,
Marzuki said: "We hope to be able to avoid any dissenting views
but that has not foreclosed the possibility that some members
might want to (refuse to sign).

"We do not foreclose that from happening because it is a team
where the members are independent and able to have their own
views. Even if there is a consensus on the general reporting of
the whole investigation... they might want to present individual
views on some issues."

The 18-member team comprises representatives from the Armed
Forces (ABRI), government agencies, the rights commission and
non-governmental organizations (NGOs). It was entrusted with the
task of investigating and, if possible, unveiling the instigators
and perpetrators of the riots, which some say were organized.

The team is also investigating claims made by human rights
groups that there were rampant sexual assaults and rapes during
the riots which killed 1,200 people and led to the downfall of
former president Soeharto.

Rights activists have exhorted the team not to hold anything
back when it announces its findings.

"I think (the findings) will be a report that generally
reflects public knowledge of what actually happened during the
riots and the emphasis will be on the recommendation (to the
government)," Marzuki said.

The team told the House of Representatives in September its
belief there were links between the unrest and the abductions of
political activists and the fatal shooting of four Trisakti
University students on May 12.

Activists, including those from the Volunteers for Humanity
led by Catholic priest Sandyawan Sumardi, have said that 168
women and children were raped or sexually assaulted during the
riots, 20 of whom reportedly died or have since committed
suicide.

Sandyawan is also one of the team members. (byg)