What's wrong with HAM

What's wrong with HAM

From Media Indonesia

I am a retired member of this republic's military service. I am writing to express my disappointment and dissatisfaction with the present political as well as law enforcement conditions in this country, particularly in connection with the current practices of a non-governmental organization called Human Rights Commission (HAM).

My observation of HAM tells me that it has not dared to straightforwardly and openly blame the head of state, who has for dozens of years been responsible for giving orders to our generals to conduct military operations in Aceh, Irian Jaya and other regions of conflict involving the separatist groups and the Military and the Police of this republic, who have defended the country from those who desired to separate from it. Yes, we had endured, and risked our lives to make sure this Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia continue to remain intact. No doubt, there were excesses involving the Army and/or the Police but please bear in mind, we had to choose between to shoot or to be shot at. It was a matter of risking our lives when it came to the armed conflict in the separatist regions.

As a matter of fact, the HAM has been exaggerating violations of human rights involving Army and Police personnel. On the other hand, very little has been reported about the deaths of Army and Police personnel as a result of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment involving the separatist groups. It is as if we were to blame all the time. But again, we did everything as instructed by our supervisors and they did it based on the orders they received from their generals who in turn had received orders from the head of state. The question is, why has HAM never blamed the generals or the head of state for the orders they gave us? Why dare HAM not blame them and, if necessary, catch and bring them to court? What's wrong with HAM? Quo vadis HAM?

SANYOTO MULYO

Serang, West Java