Imanuddin Razak, Jakarta – Human rights abuse victims expressed hopes Wednesday that a new National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) lineup would be more responsive to their hardships than previous commissions.
The victims of state violence and abuses said the rights commission was their last hope in their battle for justice.
"Komnas HAM must side with all truth-seeking efforts, otherwise it will not be an independent rights commission," said Marihot, a victim of the violent July 27, 1996, headquarters takeover of the now defunct Indonesian Democratic Party.
"If Komnas HAM does not side with our (battle), where can we rest our hopes in seeking the truth?" Anwar Umar, a victim of the government's 1965 campaign against followers of the now-banned Indonesian Communist Party (PKI), said.
Suciwati, widow of murdered human rights activist Munir Said Thalib criticized the current commission's bureaucratic approach in dealing with their complaints. "Komnas HAM lacks sensitivity in responding to our complaints... often, it's difficult for us to meet commission members," she said.
Yeti, a victim of the 1984 Tanjung Priok massacre, said Komnas HAM chairman Abdul Hakim Garuda Nusantara had neglected to meet with many victims of human rights abuse. "It's like playing hide and seek. Whenever we came to Komnas HAM, Pak Hakim always hid himself," she said.
Komnas HAM was established in 1993 after a decree from then-president Soeharto. It won applause after several human rights abuse cases were immediately examined.
The commission's image declined, however, after its failure to further examine several high-profile cases. These included the 1965 campaign against the PKI, the 1984 Tanjung Priok tragedy, the 1998 Semanggi I and 1999 Semanggi II shootings and the September 2004 murder of Munir.
Victims agreed that future Komnas HAM members must have good track records in the protection and promotion of human rights.
"They must not have been involved in past rights abuses and must have experience in the advocacy of rights victims' claims," Suciwati said. "They must not be members, active or retired, of the police or the Indonesian Military," Anwar Umar added.
Sumiarsih, the mother of a Semanggi I shooting victim, called on the selection committee to limit the maximum number of periods commission members could serve to two, each of five years. "We need to question Komnas HAM members who seek reelection for a third and fourth period," she said.
Commenting on the victims' proposal, selection committee member Kamala Chandrakirana said the committee would hold a public debate for commission membership.
The selection committee is currently receiving applications for commission membership. It will assemble on Jan. 25 to start its selection process. The final commission lineup, however, will be decided by the House of Representatives.