Date: 9 Jun 2006 05:51:07 -0000
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: INDONESIA: Threats to victims and human rights defenders by civilian
paramilitary groups
From: "AHRC Urgent Appeals" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
URGENT ACTION URGENT ACTION URGENT ACTION URGENT ACTION
ASIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION URGENT APPEALS PROGRAMME
Urgent Appeal
9 June 2006
------------------------------------------------------
UA-185-2006: INDONESIA: Threats to victims and human rights defenders
by civilian paramilitary groups
INDONESIA: Freedom of expression and association; non-discrimination;
human rights defenders
------------------------------------------------------
Dear friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information
regarding the disbanding of a peaceful gathering held by victims of
the 1965 massacre, in Bandung, Indonesia on 20 May 2006 by civil
militia groups. About one hundred persons belonging to the Laskar
Siliwangi (Siliwangi Army) and Pemuda Panca Marga (The Youth of
Military Veterans, PPM) threatened and chased away those attending
the gathering.
Around 200 persons were at the gathering; victims of the massacre as
well as staff from Syarikat, a local rights group that assists the
1965 victims in Bandung and Yogyakarta, advocating for reconciliation
between the victims and civilian perpetrators of the massacre. The May
20 gathering was to commemorate Hari Kebangkitan Nasional (the
National Awakening Day): 20 May 1908 marks the establishment of
Indonesia's first national movement organization, while 21 May 1998
marks the fall of former dictator Suharto.
Their gathering was interrupted by the arrival of around one hundred
persons belonging to the Laskar Siliwangi and PPM. These persons
threatened and intimidated the victims, who mostly comprised former
political prisoners, all of whom are very old. They shouted and
chased the victims away, apparently in fear that the meeting would
give rise to communist ideology in Indonesia. At no time however, did
the gathering mention communism. The victims left the meeting room
afraid and shaken.
The Resort Police of Central Bandung later arrived and took two of
Syarikat's organising committee members Hasyim Adnan and Khusnul
Hidayati to the police station for interrogation. They did not
question members of the Laskar Siliwangi or the PPM, however. In
fact, the police are unable to control these groups, who have little
respect for the law and generally operate as they wish.
The Laskar Siliwangi and PPM are known as civil militia groups. They
are described by ordinary Indonesians as 'thugs with uniform'. Laskar
Siliwangi is based in West Java, where there is a local military
territorial command of the name Siliwangi. The PPM are trained by
military officers, wear a similar uniform and have similar political
views. They have previously attacked local human rights groups
Kontras and PBHI in 2003, for criticising martial law and military
atrocities in Aceh (see UA-15-2003
{http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2003/453/} and UA-11-2002
{http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2002/217/} for more
information).
The AHRC is concerned by the arbitrary and violent nature of these
paramilitary groups. There are many such groups operating in
Indonesia, most of which act beyond the law. The increase in recent
arbitrary actions by them has led to a debate in parliament regarding
their nature and operation.
SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please write to the authorities below and urge that these groups are
prevented from operating beyond the boundaries of the law. It is
essential that the Laskar Siliwangi and PPM are held accountable for
their threats to the victims and human rights defenders. Similarly,
other civilian paramilitary groups must also be kept within the law.
Suggested letter:
Dear _______,
Re: INDONESIA: Threats to victims and human rights defenders by
civilian paramilitary groups
It has come to my attention that a gathering of around 200 persons,
comprising of victims of the 1965 massacre as well as staff from the
local rights group Syarikat in Bandung, was disbanded by members of
the Laskar Siliwangi and Pemuda Panca Marga (PPM).
The gathering was being held on 20 May 2006, to commemorate Hari
Kebangkitan Nasional (the National Awakening Day): 20 May 1908 marks
the establishment of Indonesia's first national movement
organization, while 21 May 1998 marks the fall of former dictator
Suharto.
Members of the Laskar Siliwangi and PPM arrived in the middle of the
gathering and threatened and intimidated the victims, who mostly
comprised former political prisoners, all of whom are very old. They
shouted and chased the victims away, apparently in fear that the
meeting would give rise to communist ideology in Indonesia. At no
time however, did the gathering mention communism. The victims left
the meeting room afraid and shaken.
I have also learnt that while the Resort Police of Central Bandung
later arrived and took two of Syarikat's organising committee members
Hasyim Adnan and Khusnul Hidayati to the police station for
interrogation, they did not question members of the Laskar Siliwangi
or the PPM.
It is commonly accepted that the Indonesian police are unable to
control such civil militia groups, who have little respect for the
law and generally operate as they wish. Laskar Siliwangi is based in
West Java, where there is a local military territorial command of the
name Siliwangi. The PPM are trained by military officers, wear a
similar uniform and have similar political views.
I am greatly concerned by the arbitrary and violent nature of these
paramilitary groups. Unless they are held accountable for their
actions under Indonesian law, there can be no hope for genuine
democracy and human rights within the country. They must be prevented
from acting arbitrarily and operating beyond the boundaries of the
law. To this effect, I urge you to ensure that the action of the two
groups in disbanding the May 20 gathering is investigated, and
further steps taken accordingly. I also urge you to ensure that the
police investigate all such behavior of any paramilitary groups.
Yours sincerely,
-----------------------
PLEASE SEND LETTERS TO:
1. Gen. Sutanto
Chief of National Police
Jl. Trunojoyo No. 3
Jakarta Selatan
INDONESIA
Tel.: +62-21-721 8144
Fax: +62-21-720 7277, 201402
2. Irjen Pol. Edi Darnadi
Chief of West Java Provincial Police
Mapolda Jawa Barat
Jl. Pelajar Perjuangan 45 No. 31 at
Bandung Jawa Barat
INDONESIA
3. Chief of Bandung City Police Headquarters
Poresta Bandung Jl. Merdeka 1, 4203505
Bandung Jawa Barat 40263.
INDONESIA
4. Mr. Abdul Hakim Garuda Nusantara
Chairperson
KOMNAS HAM [National Human Rights Commission of Indonesia]
Jl. Latuharhary No. 4B Menteng
Jakarta Pusat 10310
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 3925230
Fax: +62 21 3151042/3925227
E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] {mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
5. Mr. Abdul Rahman Saleh
Attorney General
Kejaksaan Agung RI
Jl. Sultan Hasanuddin No. 1
Jakarta Selatan
INDONESIA
Tel: + 62 21 7221337, 7397602
Fax: + 62 21 7250213
Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] {mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission ([EMAIL PROTECTED]
{mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED])
Asian Human Rights Commission
19/F, Go-Up Commercial Building,
998 Canton Road, Kowloon, Hongkong S.A.R.
Tel: +(852) - 2698-6339 Fax: +(852) - 2698-6367
Information about KUDETA 65/ Coup d'etat '65, click: http://www.progind.net/
http://geocities.com/lembaga_sastrapembebasan/
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