Intan Setiawanty, Jakarta – Chair of the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) Muhammad Isnur said that the conflict on Rempang Island was not just an agrarian issue, but a crime against humanity committed by the state. "This is not an ordinary conflict, but a crime against humanity," Isnur said when contacted by Tempo on Saturday, December 22, 2024.
Isnur explained that the forced evictions on Rempang Island met the elements of crimes against humanity as regulated in Law Number 26 of 2000. "There are elements of forced evictions carried out systematically and extensively against civilians. This was carried out by the state through policies such as the Presidential Regulation on National Strategic Projects," he said.
YLBHI also highlighted the involvement of state officials, including the police and military, in a series of actions that harmed thousands of residents, including 7,000 heads of families who have lived on Rempang Island for generations. According to Isnur, the involvement of these state instruments shows that the state has not only failed to protect its citizens, but has even facilitated violence.
"The police have ignored the thuggery in the field. The silence of the authorities is the same as approving violence," said Isnur.
This action, said Isnur, is not only against the law, but also part of the level of state involvement in gross human rights violations, as stipulated in the Convention Against Torture.
The lack of legal protection for indigenous peoples and local residents was also criticized by Isnur. The chairman of YLBHI assessed that the government made development policies without the consent of the residents. "Jokowi used to be dialogical when moving residents of Pasar Klewer, but that did not happen in Rempang. What happened was a repressive approach," he said.
YLBHI urged the government to immediately stop all plans for forced evictions and to revoke investment projects in Rempang. In addition, YLBHI called for an in-depth investigation into the role of the perpetrators of violence, both in the field and the intellectual actors who gave the orders.
"The police chief to civil officials must be investigated, and if necessary, removed from their positions," he said. According to him, fair law enforcement is the only way to restore public trust in the state.
The attack on Rempang Island on December 18, 2024, was in the public spotlight. The incident began with alleged thuggery allegedly carried out by security forces from PT Makmur Elok Graha (PT MEG). They attacked residents guarding the Rempang Eco-City National Strategic Project (PSN) rejection post.
A number of residents experienced physical violence, including Ferdiansyah, a junior high school student, who was beaten and injured. His father, Edi Junaidi, also became a victim while trying to protect his son.
Abu Bakar, an elderly resident, was threatened with a machete while at the guard post. The attack caused severe damage to three resident posts and dozens of vehicles.
The National Solidarity Team for Rempang recorded eight victims injured as a result of the attack. Meanwhile, PT MEG denied involvement in the violence, although a number of eyewitnesses and victims stated that the perpetrators used company vehicles.
Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/1955775/ylbhi-attack-on-rempang-island-is-a-crime-against-humanit