Astrid Wijaya, Jakarta – An Asian human rights group has pressured the government to investigate the disappearance of 13 Indonesian activists a decade ago, one of numerous similar cases that remain unsolved.
On Monday secretary general of the Asian Federation against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD), Mary Aileen D. Bacalso, urged families of missing persons to continue to press the government to resolve their cases in order to reveal the truth and bring about justice.
Bacalso said such perseverance paid off in her home country, the Philippines, where the government finally released a man who had been declared missing for 26 years, thanks to endless pressure from his family and the public.
"This is all because of the efforts of the family. They (the family) never stopped fighting for justice," Bacalso told a press conference held by the Indonesian Association of Families of the Disappeared (Ikohi).
AFAD was founded in June 1998 by rights groups from seven countries: the Association of Parents of the Disappeared (India), Ikohi and Kontras (Indonesia), the Truth and Justice Commission (Pakistan), the Working Group on Justice and Peace, the Relatives Committee of the May 1992 Heroes (Thailand), the Claimants (the Philippines) and the Advocacy Forum (Nepal).
AFAD and Ikohi activists met with families of the missing persons Monday to discuss the further steps needed to help settle the case.
Members of the groups urged the House of Representatives' special committee on missing people to recommend the establishment of an ad hoc human rights court to try those responsible for the alleged abduction.
They also asked President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to exercise his authority over the National Military (TNI) and instruct them to reveal investigation reports related to the case. The military has been linked to the disappearance.
Ikohi chairman Mugiyanto said the group would focus efforts on trying to find the missing persons, rather than taking legal action against the mastermind and perpetrators of the tragedy. "We are not chasing the generals, but we demand the case be solved," Mugiyanto said.
He was confident the 13 missing victims are still alive, and said it was crucial that the government take action to find them as soon as possible.
Tuti Koto, whose son Yani Afri went missing in April 1997, said she supported the House's move to seek truth and justice in the disappearances. "We hope the politicians refrain from exploiting the move for political interests ahead of the 2009 elections. They must solve the case in a fair and just manner," Tuti said.
The families of the victims held a brief rally outside the State Palace to convey their demand.
As part of the commemoration of the first decade since the first major human rights cases in 1997-1998, a group of civil society organizations will host activities including workshops, seminars, a book launch and a film screening this week. Local and international groups as well as government and military officials are invited to participate in the program.