INDONESIA: Army personnel attack three hamlets, injuring five residents and destroying village property 

Dear friends,

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information concerning an alleged attack on three hamlets in South Sulawesi by a group of army personnel in retaliation over a traffic accident. On 29 November 2005, soldiers from Haerudin’s battalion attacked three hamlets, Karama, Bonto Gaddong and Ujung Moncong, Janeponto, South Sulawesi. They and others from outside the villages attacked villagers and raided at least 82 houses. Five residents and a police officer were injured.

During a visit to the hamlets on November 31, Wirabuana Military commander overseeing Sulawesi, May. Gen. Arief Budi Sampurno promised to conduct disciplinary action and dismiss members of the 700th Raider Infantry Battalion and their chief Lt. Col. Sapto Agustono. He also offered his own dismissal if necessary. Arief has apologised to local residents and ordered soldiers to help rebuild houses. Resort police in Janeponto also improved safety for the people by patrolling all the villages. An internal investigation is also underway.

According to the latest information we received, 25 soldiers who are accused of being responsible for attacking and looting the houses are still being questioned. If found guilty, they would face various punishments, of which most lenient would use administrative sanctions such as deferred
promotion, while the harshest punishment would be dishonourable discharge.

We urge the military police to act speedily to conduct a proper and impartial investigation into what happened. Once this is done we urge the authorities to court martial persons found responsible for the attacks on the civilians and their property.  Owing to the gravity of the crime it is hoped that the punishment will not be confined to disciplinary action alone. While the perpetrators are punished, the victims must be amply compensated. Soon after the incident the military authorities promised to provide compensation and we hope that such promises are translated into action.

In this context we also would like to ask the government to revise the military courts act, which has been pending with the parliament for quite some time.  As the case occurred in a remote area and is due to military brutality, please continue to observe the case’s development and ask the concerned authorities to ensure that promised disciplinary action is carried out and compensation is made available in a timely manner.

Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission
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DETAILED INFORMATION:

Name of victims: Civilian villagers of three hamlets (Dusun Karama, Dusun Bonto Badong, Dusun Ujung Moncong) Desa Banri Manurung, Kecamatan Bangkala Kabupaten Janeponto, South Sulawesi and Police Brig. Syafrie
Alleged perpetrators: Army personnel from the 700th Raider Infantry Battalion and other people from outside the villages
Date and place of incident: 29 November 2005 in Karama, Bonto Gaddong and Ujung Moncong hamlets in Bandri Manurung village, Jeneponto regency, 80 km south of the provincial capital of Makassar, Sulawesi

Case details:

On 26 November 2005, Private Haerudin and Private Sirajuddin from the 700th Raider Infantry Battalion, were riding Haerudin’s motorcycle to Jeneponto for holiday. At Karama, they hit a car that the head of Bahari Beach village, Syaiful Mustamu Karaeng Moncong, was driving. Haerudin and Syaiful fell into a dispute and villagers beat Haerudin, who was later admitted to hospital with injuries to his head.

At around 1 a.m. on 29 November 2005, a group of soldiers from Haerudin’s battalion attacked three hamlets, Karama, Bonto Gaddong and Ujung Moncong. They and others from outside the villages attacked villagers and raided at least 82 houses. Five residents and a police officer were injured. The soldiers jumped out of vehicles wielding sharp weapons and suddenly ransacked houses and smashed cars, motorbikes and home appliances. They allegedly beat several people because they refused to lead them to Syaiful.

One resident, Syahrir, is undergoing treatment at Labuang Baji Hospital in Makassar for stab wounds. Brig. Syafrie said he was beaten up by the soldiers while attempting to stop the attack. He is at Bayangkara Police Hospital, also in Makassar.

The soldiers also looted shop merchandise including oil, cigarettes and 17 sacks of rice for the poor being stored at the house of Bandri Manurung village head Rustam Baso Jaya.

During a visit to the hamlets on November 31, Wirabuana Military commander overseeing Sulawesi Maj. Gen. Arief Budi Sampurno promised to dismiss members of the 700th Raider Infantry Battalion and their chief Lt. Col. Sapto Agustono. He also offered his own dismissal if necessary. Arief has apologised to local residents and ordered soldiers to help rebuild houses; an internal investigation is also underway. An internal investigation is also underway. According to the latest information we have, 25 soldiers who are accused of being responsible for attacking and looting houses are still being questioned. If found guilty, they would face various punishments, of which the most lenient would be administrative sanctions, such as deferred promotion, while the harshest punishment would be dishonor of discharge.

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