House and AGO Unsettled on Human Rights Case
Monday, 11 December, 2006 | 15:59 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: There is still no clarity as regards the solving of human rights violations related to the abduction of activists in 1997-1998.

The Attorney General's Office (AGO) has insisted that it will not investigate without the approval of the House of Representatives (DPR).

In addition, the DPR cannot grant approval without initial evidence provided by law officers.

“How could there be sudden decision without any evidence that human rights violations actually took place?” said Andi Mattalata, Head of the Golkar Party Faction at DPR yesterday (12/10).

Andi explained that Law Number 26/2000 concerning human rights court has clearly mentioned that in order to approve case solving, DPR awaits request from law enforcers that there is initial evidence.

Earlier, Attorney General Abdul Rahman Saleh reaffirmed that he would not investigate human rights cases without a presidential decree which is based on the DPR's proposal.

“Imagine if we have to proceed by ourselves without any proposal coming. What will be the ground for this?” he said.

Victim of abduction Petrus Hariyanto said that the problem should be set as a political agenda.

“Surely, the government must uncover those who are really involved in the cases,” said the Coordinator of the Large Family of Democratic People during the commemoration of World's Human Rights Day in Jakarta yesterday (12/10).

According to Petrus, up until now, there have been no distinct clues regarding his abducted colleagues: Herman Hendrawan, Suyat, Petrus Anugrah and Wiji Thukul.

FANNY FEBIANA