[RE: UA-23-2002: Sign petition for attorney general to bring justice to May 1998 riot victims; UP-81-2005: INDONESIA: Attorney General Refuses to investigate gross violations of human rights that were committed at Trisakti/Semanggi.]
Dear Friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received updated information from the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (Kontras) in Indonesia regarding the killings of demonstrators at Trisakti and Semanggi, Jakarta in 1998/99 (See Further: UA-23-2002; UP-81-2005).
For years, the victims of the shootings and their families have been struggling for the establishment of an ad hoc human rights court, which under Indonesian law is the only way to obtain legal remedy for gross human rights violations committed before the enactment of the Law on the permanent human rights court in 2000. The establishment of an ad hoc human rights court requires a parliamentary recommendation and a presidential decree.
The National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) conducted an inquiry into these cases and submitted its report to the Attorney General in 2002, concluding that they constitute gross violations for which elements in the Indonesian police and military are responsible.
With this report, the Indonesian House of Representatives now has the authority to recommend the establishment of an ad hoc human rights court to the president, who then would have the authority to decree such a court. However, in 2001, while the Komnas HAM investigation was ongoing, the House of Representative’s Third Commission issued a recommendation that stated the shootings of Trisakti/Semanggi do not constitute gross violations of human rights, which was later contradicted by the Komnas HAM report. This recommendation was revoked by the Commission on 30 June 2005.
Today and tomorrow, on 29 and 30 August 2005, the House of Representatives will convene its plenary session, where the Trisakti/Semanggi-shootings will potentially be debated.
The AHRC urges you to write to the chairman of the House to demand the confirmation of the revocation of the Third Commission’s recommendation and, most importantly, to demand the House to recommend the establishment of an ad hoc human rights court so that the victims can finally obtain remedy.
Urgent Appeals Desk
Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC)
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To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear Mr. Agung Laksono,
INDONESIA: House of Representatives must recommend the establishment of an ad-hoc human rights court on the Trisakti/Semanggi killings in its coming plenary session
I am writing you on behalf of the victims of the Trisakti/Semanggi-killings of 1998/99 and their families.
For years, the victims and their families have been struggling for the establishment of an ad hoc human rights court, which under Indonesian law is the only way for them to obtain legal remedy for the gross human rights violation committed against them. The establishment of an ad hoc human rights court requires a parliamentary recommendation and a presidential decree.
The National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) conducted an inquiry into these cases and submitted its report to the Attorney General in 2002, concluding that they constitute gross violations for which elements in the Indonesian police and military are responsible.
With this report, the Indonesian House of Representatives now has the authority to recommend the establishment of an ad hoc human rights court to the president, who then would have the authority to decree its establishment. However, in 2001, while the Komnas HAM investigation was ongoing, the House of Representative's Third Commission issued a recommendation that stated the shootings of Trisakti/Semanggi do not constitute gross violations of human rights, which was later contradicted by the Komnas HAM report. This recommendation was revoked by the Third Commission on 30 June 2005.
It has come to my attention that the House of Representatives (DPR) will convene its plenary session this week, where it has the opportunity to discuss this matter. I urge you to do your utmost to ensure that the House confirms the recent revocation of the Third Commissoin's recommendation and, most importantly, recommends the establishment of an ad hoc-human rights court on this case to the president.
The victims of the Trisakti/Semanggi-killings and their families have waited for justice for seven years. It is about time that their parliamentary representatives demonstrate to them their commitment to justice and human rights and use all legal possibilities given to them to ensure that justice is done.
Yours sincerely,
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PLEASE SEND A LETTER TO:
Mr. Agung Laksono
Chairperson
House of Representatives (Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat RI)
Jl. Jend. Gatot Subroto
Jakarta 10270
INDONESIA
Tel: (62 21) 5715 925/ (021)-8191327
Fax: (62 21) 5715 373; 021-8191327
E-mail: humas-dpr@dpr.go.id
PLEASE SEND A COPY TO:
1. Mr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
Presiden
Republik of Indonesia
Istana Presiden
Jakarta
INDONESIA
Tel: (62 21) 384 5627 ext. 1003
Fax: (62 21) 345 7782
2. Mr. Abdul Rahman Saleh
Attorney General
Attorney General's Office
Jakarta
INDONESIA
Fax: (62 21) 720 8557
3. Mr. Hamid Awaluddin
Minister of Justice and Human Rights
JI. H.R. Rasuna Said Kav. 6-7
Kuningan, Jakarta Selatan
INDONESIA
Fax: (62 21) 525 3095
4. Mr. Abdul Hakim Garuda Nusantara
Chariperson
National Commission on Human Rights KOMNAS HAM
Jl. Latuharhary No. 4B Menteng
Jakarta Pusat 10310
INDONESIA
Tel: (62 21) 3925230
Fax: (62 21) 3151042/3925227
E-mail: info@komnasham.or.id
5. Mr. Philip Alston
Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary, or Arbitrary Executions
Att: Lydie Ventre
Room 3-016
c/o OHCHR-UNOG
1211 Geneva 10
SWITZERLAND
Tel: +41 22 917 9155
Fax: +41 22 917 9006 (general)
E-mail: lventre@ohchr.org
6. Mr. Ambeyi Ligabo
Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression
Att: Ms. Julie De Riviero
Room: 3-042
C/o OHCHR-UNOG
1211 Geneva 10
SWITZERLAND
Tel: +41 22 917 9177
Fax: +41 22 917 9006 (general)
E-Mail: jderiviero@ohchr.org
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC)
