YLBHI gives the thumbs down to rights record

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) yesterday gave the thumbs down to Indonesia's human rights record in 1996.

The year was marked by violence, foundation chairman Bambang Widjojanto said at a news conference to give his assessment of the outgoing year.

Violence has become part of the country's social and political affairs, Bambang said.

He laid the blame on the government for violating people's basic rights. "The authorities played a significant role in human right violations here." he said.

The low-point of the year was the July 27 riot in Jakarta, which he described as one of the most violent to ever hit the capital city.

Five people were killed and 23 people went missing in the riot which erupted after the forced takeover of the Indonesian Democratic Party headquarters by supporters of government- supported chairman Soerjadi.

Bambang said the riot in Ujungpandang, South Sulawesi, in April, was another violent incident that affected the country's reputation for the observation of human rights, he said.

In that incident, about 10,000 students protesting against the city administration's plan for a massive hike in bus fares, clashed with soldiers.

According to the government's report, three students died with severe bruises on their bodies. Twelve 12 soldiers were court- martialled for their part in the incident.

The National Commission on Human Rights conducted investigations into both riots and the results confirmed that human rights violations were committed.

Bambang said that during the year, there were incidents in which the government violated people's right to freedom of expression and to form associations, both of which are guaranteed by the constitution.

He also recalled the government's poor treatment of non- governmental organizations (NGOs).

"The government violated the principle of presumption of innocence against a number of NGOs," he said.

He cited the time when the government accused 13 NGOs of masterminding the abduction of foreign and local researchers in the jungles of Irian Jaya earlier this year.

Another time, the government charged 30 NGOs, affiliated under the Indonesian People's Council, with being "problematic", accusing them of being involved in the July 27 riots.

Bambang deplored the government's continued use of the anti- subversion law in silencing its critics.

"Charging labor activist Muchtar Pakpahan and student activist Budiman Sudjatmiko with subversion is not acceptable," he said. "The law was a product of the Dutch colonial government," he added.

The foundation said there were occasions when the people themselves were involved in human rights violations, such as in the riots that hit many cities during the year.

Frans Hendra Winarta, a member of the foundation's executive board, said most of these riots were triggered by disenchantment with the arbitrary actions of security officers.

"Their anger is the product of a long tug-of-war between the political elites and groups who are critical of the government," he said. (imn)