Human Rights Commission Finds Conspiracy Indications
Monday, 13 November, 2006 | 15:49 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The National Commission for Human Rights (Komnas HAM) has found indications of conspiracy between the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the Indonesian National Police (Polri) in cases involving the kidnapping of activists in between 1997 and 1998.

Zoemrotin K. Susilo, Komnas HAM's Deputy Chairman, said the investigation team for cases of making people disappear in 1997 and 1998 found facts relating to communication between a military general and a military police before Andi Arief, one of the kidnap victims, was released.

The two generals have been included as people suspected of being responsible,” said Zoemrotin during a press conference at the Komnas HAM's office, on Friday (10/11).

According to him, based on witnesses' testimonies, the investigation team had information that before Andi was released, a military general contacted a general of police.

The purpose, said Zoemrotin, was to release Andi, an activist from the Democratic People's Party (PRD).

Andi was kidnapped on March 28, 1998, in Bandar Lampung.
“Via telephone communication, the military general asked the police to receive Andi. The transfer was carried out by their subordinates,” said Zoemrotin.

However, he refused to name the two generals.

A Tempo source at Komnas HAM said that the two generals referred to were the Indonesian Armed Forces (ABRI, now TNI) Commander and Polri Chief at that time.

According to the source, Komnas HAM regarded the military general as being the party in command.

“The police general is classified as being responsible for participating (in a joint criminal enterprise),” the source said.

On Friday (10/11) Komnas HAM publicized the report of the investigation results for cases of making people disappear by force during 1997-1998.

The conclusion was made there has been suspected human rights violations in the form of kidnapping and deprivation of liberty involving 10 activists who have been found and 13 who have not.

The Head of Komnas HAM investigation team for this case, Ruswiati Suryasaputra, stressed that the team no longer doubted its investigation results.

“Our conclusions are strong,” she said.

The TNI Headquarters has that stated it will not just accept the investigation results of Komnas HAM.

TNI Commander Marshal Djoko Suyanto said that the TNI Headquarters will first study the investigation results.

“Babinkum (TNI's legal advisory body) will be analyzing everything, according to legal process,” said Djoko when contacted by Tempo yesterday (12/11).

According to Djoko, the investigation results, which have been revealed through the media, are the result of a one-side investigation made by Komnas HAM.

Djoko also questioned the investigation methods carried out by Komnas HAM.

“How they carried out their investigations and who were accused of being perpetrators are only signals. Therefore, these must be followed up by Babinkum,” he insisted.

Agoeng Wijaya and Dimas Adityo