Zack Petersen – Putri Kanesia, a lawyer at Kontras, may not be at today's protest of renewed ties between the US military and the Kopassus special forces unit, which has been accused of human rights violations, but her heart is certainly with the cause.
Here, Putri talks about alleged torture tactics used by the police, violations of the Ahmadiyah's religious freedoms, her passion for activism and why she has nothing to fear.
Can you tell us about Kontras [Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence]?
Kontras was founded in 1998 by several civil society organizations, victims and student organizations, and is responsible for investigating past cases – usually from the year 2000 or before that – – involving disappearances and torture.
We probe various massacres and violations of human rights, including extrajudicial killings, unlawful murder, censure of activists, torture and religious oppression.
Can you talk about the photos behind you?
We can see Wiji Thukul, a vocal pro-democracy activist, who was abducted under former President Suharto's regime in 1998.
There's also a picture of Munir [Said Thalib]. He was coordinator for Kontras who was allegedly poisoned in 2004 on his way to the Netherlands. There are also images of Elang and Yun Hap, victims of the Triskati University and Semanggi I shootings of 1998.
Tell us about the cases that you're working on right now.
Day-by-day activities include handling various cases and issues; not only the past human rights violations, but also facing lots of complaints related to human rights violations.
Our desk is focused on acts of torture committed by the military and police. We usually represent and aid the victims in any way we can.
Recently, we saw instances when hard-line religious groups, in the name of their faith, oppressed people by trying to limit their activities, like what happened with the Ahmadiyah [an Islamic minority sect]. Religious rights are severely oppressed in Indonesia.
What kind of investigations result in torture?
Usually, it's cases concerning terrorism, murder or cases that are so severe that the police use torture so suspects confess. Several police stations in Jakarta still resort to unconventional forms of interrogation, either through violence or electrocution.
But I recently stumbled upon a case where the suspect's wife was electrocuted so police could force a confession. So it's not just the captured person who is tortured, but also family and loved ones.
Should activists in Jakarta be afraid of the police?
There are times when activists are prevented from speaking out. Activists try to fight for human rights through different means, like winning seats in the House of Representatives [DPR]in order to fight back through politics.
These threats and actions against activists point out a key fact: That what we are doing is right. These people fear us, and we are capable of change.
Do you consider yourself an activist or lawyer first?
I'm an activist, first and foremost.
Do you fear for your safety?
Actually, I never really set out to be part of Kontras. But since I was a child, I have always wanted to be a lawyer. By chance, I became involved in the life of an activist.
Working in Kontras, I've learned things about life that I probably wouldn't have known if I didn't work here. Concerning my fears as an activist, I think everybody has some level of fear. Yet, if we are speaking the truth and doing the right thing, then we have no reason to be afraid.
Do you think that Indonesians are as free as they believe?
Indonesia, the only Asean country with laws that protect freedom of the press, is seen as free. Of course there are often cases where the press are attacked for speaking out, like what happened with Tempo magazine.
On the other hand, freedom of religion is severely violated. In fact, I find it extremely difficult to even say that Indonesia has any freedom of religion.
Last February, Kontras and other nongovernmental organizations conducted a national review that questioned the Indonesian Constitution for recognizing only six major religions [Islam, Catholicism, Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism and Confucianism].
Limiting the nation to six religions is unfounded, since Indonesia's numerous islands and cultures are subject to a variety of religions and ethnic beliefs.
Because of these limitations, minorities cannot obtain marriage licenses, birth certificates or identity cards unless they check off one of the six religions recognized by the government. People are forced to choose from the six options.
What is the media's role in terms of human rights?
In the event of a case, the media can help Kontras with its investigations and access avenues we can't. I think the media is a great way to spread information.
People wake up in the morning and the first thing they do is read the paper. But on the other hand, the media can be difficult because it is possible that they can spread the wrong information or provoke the people's response. For example, they can say, 'This religion is a cult' or 'This group is right and this group is wrong.'
What's a typical day for you?
I work in the office and tackle cases handed to me. If cases require me to go out in the field, then I go to the police station or other places to investigate.
Which case are you most proud of successfully closing?
We can't necessarily measure our worth by the outcome of each case. We must measure it through the overall effect our efforts have in society and in the government, like whether or not the DPR passes laws in our favor and things like that. So if we see evidence of change, then that is satisfying enough.