Ruslan Sangadji, Palu – The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) has begun analyzing a video of the alleged violence committed by authorities against terror convicts in Poso, Central Sulawesi, widely circulating on Youtube.
The Komnas HAM confirmed the matter directly from victims currently under the custody of the Petobo penitentiary in Palu. The alleged victims include Ustadz Hasanuddin, Wiwin alias Tomo, Tugiran alias Iren, and Iin alias Brur.
According to Komnas HAM Investigation and Observation commissioner Siane Indriani, the inmates who were involved in the Poso conflict are victims of violence who were caught on the video.
"Wiwin stated that the violence recorded on the video was committed by the police's Densus 88 counterterrorism unit in Tanah Runtuh, Poso city, on Jan. 22, 2007," Siane told reporters at the Petobo penitentiary recently.
She was accompanied by Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) legal division head Zainuddin Ali, Law and Legislation Commission secretary Rofiqul Umam Ahmad and Teguh Sudarsono from the Witness and Victims Protection Agency (LPSK).
Based on Wiwin's accounts, added Siane, the residents were involved in a gunfight with Densus 88 and police Mobile Brigade members then. When one of them was shot, Wiwin went to rescue the victim. Wiwin opened his shirt and raised his hands to surrender, but he was still beaten and shot.
"With the presence of the video, like it or not we will reopen the case, which took place in 2007, as part of several data which we have collected. They are victims of the conflict, so we must be more careful and proportional," said Siane.
Siane said Komnas HAM would raise the status of the case if possible, because there were indications that gross human rights violations had taken place. Komnas HAM will base the case on Law No. 26/2000 on basic human rights.
Regarding follow up actions from the investigation, Siane said Komnas HAM has a jurisdiction of issuing a recommendation. It also has the opportunity to form an ad hoc team to conduct further investigation, results of which would be handed over to the Attorney General's Office to investigate by forming a human rights court.
"For cases taking place before 2000, an ad hoc human rights court will be set up. A human rights court will be established for cases taking place after 2000," said Siane.
She added Komnas HAM recommended that there should no longer be shooting to death of people still suspected as terrorists. Shooting is tolerable in direct gunfire.
The Poso conflict broke out in 1998 and intensified until 2000. Some 2,000 people were killed or reported missing. The government, facilitated by then vice president Jusuf Kalla, held a peace meeting in Malino, South Sulawesi, from which a peace pact called Malino Declaration was reached.