Defense Minister Juwono Sudarsono defended on Tuesday "brutal" actions committed by the military against insurgents in Talangsari village, Lampung, in 1989.

The actions have been called gross violations by the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM).

The offensive conducted by the then local military was valid because villagers in the region had formed a rebellious movement aimed at changing the country's Constitution, the minister argued.

Speaking after a meeting with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in Jakarta, Juwono said the fact that armed men had attacked and killed some police and military personnel justified military retaliation.

"In that context, it was normal and valid to conduct such a military action," the minister told the press.

Juwono's statement challenged a report by Komnas HAM, which concludes that gross human rights violations occurred in the Talangsari incident, in which dozens of villagers died.

The report suggests that then local military commander A.M. Hendropriyono be held responsible for the rights abuses.

On Feb. 7, 1989, Garuda Hitam soldiers raided houses in Talangsari village following allegations the residents were attempting to set up an Islamic state.

The soldiers burned houses and detained villagers and residents of neighboring areas.

Komnas HAM said its team investigating the incident had found evidence of systematic and widespread killings, torture, demolition and the displacement of villagers.

The official rights body will soon submit the report and relevant documents to the Attorney General's Office for an immediate investigation.

However, Juwono said a special law was needed for the country to prosecute certain gross human rights abuses in cases that took place before the law on human rights tribunal was enacted in 2000.

So far, only two cases of gross rights abuses that occurred before the law's enactment have been brought to court, and in both instances required special laws be passed by the House of Representatives. The cases involved abuses in Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta, and Timor Leste.

Rights activist Hendardi said Juwono was "more militaristic" than other military generals, and underlined that the law gives Komnas HAM sole authority to investigate human rights violations.

"Whatever its conclusion can be used in the court. I think the defense minister should shut his mouth, and just follow the due process of law," he said.

Indonesian Military chief Gen. Djoko Santoso said "Komnas HAM can do whatever it thinks best."

Hendropriyono was commander of the Garuda Hitam military at the time, while the chief of the Armed Forces was Try Sutrisno, who is a former vice president. The Army chief of staff was then Edy Sudradjat, who died in 2006.

Komnas HAM has summoned Hendropriyono and Try, as well as former Army Special Forces commander Wismoyo Arismunandar and other retired generals in its investigation of the incident.

However, only former security and order operation command chief (Pangkopkamtib) Adm. (ret) Sudomo has turned up for questioning. – JP/Desy Nurhayati