Detik.com-January 4,
2011
Adi Nugroho, Jakarta – The
National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) has concluded that serious human
rights violations were committed by the Indonesian military (TNI) against
people in Puncak Jaya, Papua. Komnas HAM has also submitted its recommendations
on the results of an investigation it has been conducting since November 11
last year to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY).
"From the findings and
data gathered, we concluded that serious human rights violations occurred. The
team will submit the recommendations to several parties, [but] first the
president", said Komnas HAM chairperson Ifdhal Kasim during a press
conference at the Komnas HAM offices on Jl. Latuharhari in Central Jakarta on
Tuesday January 4.
According to Kasim, the
violence and monitoring team in Puncak Jaya will urge Yudhoyono to immediately
conduct a comprehensive evaluation into the approach used by security forces in
Papua. In addition to the president, the team will also be making
recommendations to the commander-in-chief of the TNI, the Papuan chief of
police, the Cendrawasih regional military commander as well as the Puncak Jaya
regent and regional House of Representatives.
Kasim added that the team
found evidence of human rights violations such as torture, harsh and inhuman
treatment and the lost of the right to a sense of security.
Although Komnas HAM
concluded that serious human rights violations occurred, it did not find
evidence of systematic violence or murder in the sense of policies intended to
murder the Papuans as a people. Because of this, the team has decided not to
establish an ad hoc team.
"Because it does not
fulfill the material or formal conditions, at the Komnas HAM's plenary meeting
it was decided not to form a pro-judicial or pro-ad hoc team", said Kasim.
Earlier on Friday December
31, TNI chief Admiral Agus Suhartono claimed that sentences have been handed
down against TNI members from the Cendrawasih XVII Regional Military Command
AVT/NABIRE 753 unit, who were seen on a video recording committing violence
against Puncak Jaya residents. Suhartono stated however that these actions were
not gross human rights violations.
"What must be
understood is that the situation there is tense, it's not like Jakarta. There
were no orders from a superior to torture people. It cannot be called a gross
human rights violation. It was simply a case of exceeding the authority given
to them by their officers", said Suhartono. (nik/fay)
[Translated
by James Balowski.]
