[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 26 (Friday, February 12, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E235-E238]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              HUMAN RIGHTS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSEPH R. PITTS

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 12, 1999

  Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, this week, I chaired a Congressional Human 
Rights Caucus Briefing in which expert witnesses from Indonesia showed 
photographic evidence and reported on the situation facing their 
people.
  Attacks on ethnic and religious minorities, particularly Chinese 
minorities, are continuing and in some instances appear to be 
orchestrated. Ninety-five churches have been burned or destroyed since 
May of 1998.
  Today I am submitting record and statements from this week's 
briefing. These statements help to note the severity of acts being 
committed in Indonesia.

   Statement for Members Briefing on Current Human Rights Abuses in 
                               Indonesia

       Good morning ladies and gentlemen. It is a privilege for me 
     to welcome you to the Congressional Human Rights Caucus 
     Briefing on Current Human Rights Abuses in Indonesia. The 
     extreme nature of the recent human rights abuses in Indonesia 
     has shocked the world. Reports show that churches and mosques 
     have been burned, businesses of ethnic minorities have been 
     looted and destroyed, students were arrested and killed, and 
     women and girls have been brutally raped and sometimes 
     murdered.
       Today's hearing is sponsored by the Congressional Human 
     Rights Caucus. The Caucus, co-chaired by Congressman John 
     Porter and Congressman Tom Lantos, is a bi-partisan group of 
     members dedicated to advocating for the protection of human 
     rights

[[Page E236]]

     worldwide. The situation in Indonesia has long concerned 
     Human Rights Caucus Members and many American people because 
     of the long-standing human rights violations in East Timor. 
     It was not until more recently, however, that the world 
     watched as the horrors perpetrated in East Timor spread 
     throughout Indonesia.
       As you may know, early last year, riots broke out in major 
     cities in Indonesia. As people stood and watched in horror, 
     rioters looted and destroyed businesses, burned churches, and 
     caused mass destruction. Then, last May, the world stood 
     horrified as it learned of the perpetration of mass rapes. 
     Well-documented reports suggest a systematic plan on the part 
     of the rapists to terrorize the Chinese ethnic community. 
     Groups of unknown assailants would descend on a community, 
     enter businesses, demand money, rape women who were present 
     (often while uttering anti-Chinese rhetoric), and loot and 
     sometimes burn the businesses.
       Despite the change in the leadership of Indonesia's 
     government, human rights abuses continue. Unfortunately, the 
     stories of situations similar to last year's tragedies have 
     not ceased in Indonesia. Killing and rioting is still 
     occurring. In January of this year, 40 people were murdered 
     in a village in Ambon. Attackers in other areas of the island 
     of Ambon stopped individuals in the streets, asked them what 
     their religion was, and upon the admittance of Christian 
     beliefs, killed the individuals. Reports suggest that 
     approximately ``20,000 people sought refuge in military 
     bases, police barracks, churches and mosques'' in riots in 
     which ``seven mosques, nine churches, and 570 buildings were 
     burned.'' Similar reports have come from Banyuwangi, 
     Ketapang, Poso, and other regions of Indonesia.
       Other reports give details that during the rioting in the 
     region known as the ``Spice Islands,'' in one week 15 
     churches and 11 mosques were badly damaged or completely 
     destroyed. Local inhabitants of attacked areas often state 
     that villagers lived in harmony until outsiders came to their 
     homes and, armed with various weapons, instigated the various 
     riots and attacks on ethnic and religious minorities. These 
     attacks continue throughout Indonesia.
       Many human rights reports suggest that the riots of 1998 
     and 1999 were orchestrated by a particular individual or 
     group of individuals. The question in people's minds is who 
     or what is behind the terrible violence sweeping through the 
     various regions of Indonesia?
       Unfortunately, a large portion of the Indonesian population 
     is afraid to report what they have seen. However, today, we 
     will hear from some courageous individuals who desire to see 
     justice and national reconciliation in their country so that 
     stability, based on democracy, will be the norm in Indonesia.
       The actions of the perpetrators of rape, murder and other 
     crimes and human rights abuses are cowardly and should be 
     internationally condemned. In addition, the government of 
     Indonesia must engage in a thorough investigation to bring to 
     justice those who are responsible for the horrifying human 
     rights abuses occurring even today.
       I applaud the courage of today's panel and thank them for 
     their willingness, though possibly putting their own lives in 
     danger, to share their knowledge about current human rights 
     violations in Indonesia and who or what might be behind those 
     abuses. The Congressional Human Rights Caucus encourages you 
     in your pursuit of justice and protection of fundamental 
     human rights for the Indonesian people.


     
                                  ____
      In A Nutshell: Law and Socio-Political Problems in Indonesia

       Many articles have been published by the media related to 
     the regime of Suharto. At that time, violations against human 
     rights happened frequently. Aside from the cases in Aceh, 
     East Timor, Irian, Java and other areas, there were many 
     other violations of human rights. At that time people were 
     afraid of speaking out about the violations of human rights, 
     especially related to the abduction of some activists who 
     spoke out on human rights and democracy. After Suharto 
     collapsed the mass media finally revealed the kidnapping 
     committed by certain personnel of Kopassus (the case of 
     General Prabowo).
       The law enforcement during Suharto's reign was so worisome. 
     The judges were influenced by the authorities, although they 
     denied it. They were even ``bought'' which is very difficult 
     to prove legally. However, this can be witnessed empirically 
     and it has been an open secret through the publication of the 
     press. The violations against human rights such as the cases 
     of Marsinah in East Java, Hanoch Ohee in Irian Jaya, Ghandi 
     Memorial School, Kedungombo Dam, Bintang Pamungkas, Mochtar 
     Pakpahan, and other cases, published by the mass media speak 
     for themselves. The law at that time seemed to be upright but 
     justice and human rights were neglected.
       The socio-political condition was overpowered by Suharto. 
     Nobody dared to express their disagreement except a few 
     people, such as Budiman Sudjatmiko, Bintang Pamungkas as well 
     as Mochtar Pakpahan. The political parties at that time 
     endorsed all the actions of Suharto. However, recently, they 
     have started opening their mouth and honestly admitted that 
     they did not have the courage to speak out at that time 
     because they were frightened of Suharto's power. In brief, 
     Suharto was a dictator.
       Thus is the short explanation about justice, socio-
     political and human rights during the regime of Suharto. It 
     is indisputable that corruption, collusion and nepotism were 
     committed in all sectors of public life as the truth has now 
     been disclosed by the press. To say that all government 
     officials were involved, including the Armed Forces is not an 
     exaggeration at all, though it is hard to prove legally.
       What happens after Habibie comes on stage (de facto), 
     because judicially Suharto's decree as President, has not 
     been revoked. Essentially and fundamentally, it can be said 
     that there has been no meaningful change occur except the 
     freedom of the press. The freedom of democracy has been born 
     with the permission to establish a hundred political parties. 
     Despite all of this, the pattern of thinking and behavior of 
     President Habibie keeps following the pattern of Suharto, 
     with several exceptions. Some observations have to be given 
     to the socio-political conditions. Another point needs to be 
     discussed related to the religious life in Indonesia.
       The law enforcement related to political issues it really 
     ambivalent. After Shuarto stepped down, more and more 
     breaches of law were committed by the masses, let alone 
     robbery and other violent crimes. They invaded the places 
     such as fertilizer and rice warehouses, as well as plundering 
     stores selling basic daily needs. Places of worship 
     (churches) were destroyed and burned down. The government 
     officials ``accused'' of committing corruption, collusion and 
     nepotism were picketed by the people, who do not respect and 
     acknowledge the authority of the local government officials. 
     Even government and police offices were destroyed and burned, 
     as happened to Lakarsanti in Surabaya (1999) and in some 
     other places. People have acted the way they liked because 
     they are fed up of being treated unfairly, and also because 
     the spreading rumors were incorrect, manipulated and 
     distorted. The law enforcement and the security agencies seem 
     hesitant to take action or if they act, it is too late. It is 
     unsurprising if small-scaled social anarchy takes place. In 
     this reformation era during which the law and human rights 
     should be enforced, what happens is the other way around.
       Apparent transgression of human rights took place in Aceh 
     in the past and recently (in Lohkseumawe), as well as mass 
     murder against those accused of black magic by ninjas in 
     Banyuwangi (East Java). These incidents seemed to be directed 
     against NU supporters and it was argued that some military 
     persons were involved in the murders. The military personnel 
     who were said to have been involved committed desertion. It 
     seems that there is a phenomena of social anarchy happening, 
     where the jungle law prevails.
       The security forces usually arive when riots and anarchy 
     are almost completely done and too late to be stoped. The 
     same thing happened during the Ketapang incident where human 
     slaughter and the destruction and burning of Ketapang 
     Churches (Nov 22, 1998) in Jakarta took place. Similar 
     patterns like in Ketapang reoccurred in Kupang (Timor) and 
     soon after that in Ambon (19-22 January 1999) sacrificing 
     more lives and enormous loss of property. The data of 
     casualties has not been confirmed yet. Some say 500 people 
     were murdered. Thirteen religious buildings were burned. 
     Those incidents indicate that there is a relation in the 
     engineering pattern blown-up by SARA rumors during which 
     churches and mosques were burned in Ambon. The most 
     destructive things have happened to churches in many 
     places since 1996. Those who are not friendly to 
     Christians look for social and economic scapegoats.
       During the reign of Sukarno, only two churches were burned 
     while during the 32 years regime of Suharto, 455 churches 
     were burned, destroyed and closed down. It means each month, 
     an average of 1.18 church destroyed and burned. Within 7 
     months of Habibie's reign, 76 churches were destroyed and 
     burned. In other words, each month an average of 10.85 
     churches were destroyed and burned.
       The condition of security in Indonesia is annoying. 
     Economic conditions are getting worse, unemployment is 
     increasing while the law seems to have lost its power. In 
     addition, the development of socio-political conditions is 
     still confusing and the people who pretend to fight for 
     democracy accuse each other, making the condition more 
     uncomfortable and unsecured. Moreover the stipulation of new 
     regulations related to the general election, and the 
     prediction that chaos or social revolution prior or after the 
     general election will take place, have caused anxiety in 
     people's hearts, especially the poor ones who are concerned 
     with their life and belongings.
       Indonesia is at the edge of ruin. There are unhappy voices 
     coming from places such as Irian and Aceh to separate 
     themselves from this country. Their rich natural resources 
     were enjoyed and used to enrich authorities in Jakarta. All 
     of this creates the potential for disintegration to become 
     true. In other words, civil war is at the doorstep, 
     especially with the latest development in East Timor.
       It can be summarized that anyone can make a different 
     diagnosis, but the therapy seems difficult to carry out, 
     considering the present socio-political and economic 
     conditions. There are more than one hundred small political 
     parties, besides PKB, PAN, PDI Megawati and Golkar. There are 
     parties

[[Page E237]]

     which are not sensitive to the pluralistic conditions in 
     Indonesia, which sharpens the potential of polarization. 
     Unity is often talked about as a ceremonial thing only to 
     maintain the status quo status. In a pluralistic society, 
     where different cultures and religions are not understood in 
     the context of democracy and human rights, can things get 
     worse. It has been forgotten that human beings with different 
     cultural backgrounds and religions, are created by (one) God.
       If the economy does not improve and unemployment keeps on 
     increasing, not only will crime get higher, but the law will 
     not be respected and obeyed. If the Armed Forces do not 
     consolidate, the disintegration process will come to reality. 
     Chaos will emerge among ethnic groups or religions. Democracy 
     and the freedom of human rights are being rhetorically talked 
     every day, but it is doubtful all the leaders and their 
     parties, except a few ones, could live peacefully in this 
     pluralistic society.
       To end this short writing, let us ponder the saying of the 
     late President John F Kennedy: ``And even if we are not able 
     to agree, let us do so in such a way, that make the world 
     safe, still in its diversity.''
                                                    J.E. Sahetapy,
                                      Emeritus Professor of Unair.


     
                                  ____
                Political Agenda Behind the Riot of Poso

                            (By Kie-Eng Go)

   [Presented in the Briefing on The Current Human Rights Issues in 
 Indonesia with the US Congressional Human Rights Caucus, Feb 9, 1999]

       The tragedy of Poso, which is also known as the ``Poso's 
     Gray Christmas'' on December 23-31, 1998, resulted in the 
     following: 183 people were injured, some seriously, 267 
     houses were demolished or burned down (1,632 people, 
     representing 364 Christian households, lost their homes), 5 
     stores were burned down, 7 cars were burned or destroyed, 10 
     motorcycles were destroyed, 4 hotels were destroyed and 4 
     entertainment centers (karaoke) were damaged.
       Beyond the physical destruction, the tragedy has brought 
     about deep trauma in the life of the people of Poso.


          Indonesia: Fundamentalism and the Human Rights Issue

       From the Surabaya incident, June 9, 1996 to the Situbondo, 
     then to the Tasikmalaya, on and on and up to the Ambon, there 
     are several things, which should not go unnoticed:
       1. There are three groups of people being attacked and 
     marginalized: the ethnic Chinese, the Christmas and the 
     moderate Muslims.
       2. The incidents were well planned, and provocateurs from 
     outside were sent in to create riots.
       3. There seems to be linkage among the incidents, although 
     they took place in different places. There seems to be 
     progression between one incident to the next; for instance, 
     from the harassment of the right to worship, to the closing 
     of the places of worship, to the attack and burning of the 
     places of worship, to the attack and burning of the home of 
     religious followers.
       4. The increase of brutality has turned into sadistic 
     killing. Mr. Meiky Sainyakit, according to the eyewitnesses 
     who survived, was burnt alive to death, after his two arms 
     were chopped off, in the Ambon case.
       5. The authorities, the police, the military, and the 
     central government itself have done very minimal, if anything 
     at all. The security forces would probably arrest those who 
     were caught in the act, and that has been as deep as the kind 
     of initiative done by them, as some cases have indicated. Not 
     only are they not responding, often times, as reports 
     suggest, not only are they very slow in following up leads, 
     but they also are involved in discrediting the sources of the 
     leads. When the whole situation is viewed and assessed as a 
     totality, it should raise a very serious question about the 
     cover up.
       The core issue in Indonesia is trust; the erosion of trust 
     amongst a pluralistic society. The kind of trust that has 
     been emerging is the kind of trust that would only exist if 
     everyone in Indonesia speaks the same language, wears the 
     same cloths and colors, prays the same prayer. There is no 
     longer trust toward government and its leaders, political and 
     public figures, public and private institutions, business and 
     banking system, media, community leaders, religious leaders, 
     even one another.


                    Alternatives and recommendation

       Therefore, in everything we do, we the Indonesians, and we 
     the international community, we have to move with one thing 
     in mind and that is to bring trust back into a culture which 
     was originally built and based on the principle of a 
     pluralistic society. Below are some thoughts and alternatives 
     that I like to recognize to this panel:
       1. Stop the madness and killing.--We recommend that the 
     International Community demands full accountability on the 
     rapes and killing of many Indonesians. Why does the 
     International community have to be involved in domestic acts 
     of crimes in Indonesia? The kind of crime and killing in 
     Indonesia should not be looked at any longer as a domestic 
     affair, rather it is an attack and an insult to mankind on 
     earth. When civilians are attacked by professional, trained, 
     and army-like personnel, and the attacks are done 
     systematically and repeatedly, and they are done in a pursuit 
     of a certain ideology, should we not consider that as a war.
       2. The victims.--We are the International Community for an 
     immediate and decisive initiative to provide full 
     rehabilitation for the victims and the families. Despite all 
     the good and nice rhetoric by the government officials of 
     Indonesia, including the head of the current government, 
     victims, families members, and medical workers are still 
     being terrorized and intimidated. Phone lines are still being 
     tapped. Such conditions have made any kind of rehabilitation 
     impossible.
       3. Persecution.--On the issue of persecution against 
     certain ethnic and religious groups, we all need to stop 
     listening to the rhetoric of the leaders, and state looking 
     into the dynamic of how the culture of suspicion is being 
     carried out. Today, when you are Chinese and/or Christian in 
     Indonesia, you do not have any guarantee of physical safety 
     on the street, nor protection under the law. The government, 
     the police, and the military, including the leader of the 
     government himself, are not interested in protecting the 
     rights of the citizen, despite of all their nice and good 
     rhetoric.
       4. Social safety net.--A Social safety net program is very 
     urgent at this moment in Indonesia. Total chaos and massive 
     killing could take place anywhere and at anytime, without 
     being provoked by anybody. The social safety net programs in 
     Indonesia have not been very successful so far. It seems that 
     everyone has to rob in order to survive. The international 
     community has to be prudent and creative in developing the 
     social safety net programs.
       5. Election.--The upcoming, June 7, 1999, election will be 
     very instrumental in giving an opportunity to the Indonesians 
     to move to a better civil society. We should not expect any 
     law and order in Indonesia without a clean and fair election. 
     The UN, the organizations such as IRI, NDI, IFES and even The 
     Carter Center have to take more creative initiatives, beyond 
     the given normative ways of the international political 
     economy. The people who are interested in a better Indonesia 
     in a context of global community have to take serious 
     interest in the dynamic and culture of money-politics being 
     played going into the election. Out of this horrible 
     damnation, one good thing comes out is a stronger desire by 
     the people to establish a nation and a system of government 
     that are clean and trustworthy. Such desire which exists very 
     vividly in certain groups (NGOs and even political parties) 
     has to be supported and strengthened by all means possible.
       We trust that this briefing will create a more open-minded 
     and positive discussion among us and with those who are 
     longing to see an improvement in Indonesia.
       Thank you very much for allowing us to come and share 
     information with you.


     
                                  ____
                        Mass Riots in Indonesia


                        The Beginning of the End

       Generally, there are three social symptoms that are usually 
     called ``riot'' in late 90's Indonesian press literature. The 
     first is insurrection (unarmed popular uprising), the second 
     is mob looting, and the third is widespread gang-fights that 
     cause much destruction.
       These three social symptoms begun to make their heavy 
     presence after the 27th of July 1996 forced takeover of the 
     PDI Headquarter in Jl. Diponegoro, Jakarta.
       There were riots around the 1997 election. After that, 
     until May 1998, situation seemed calm and under control.
       But in May 1998, riot came back and took many victims. The 
     riot broke after the military gunned down four Trisakti 
     students demonstrating on the May 13th. The mass came in 
     thousand in spirit of revenge. After small scale clashes with 
     the police, the mass begun burning and looting buildings.
       What makes the May 14th-16th riot significant is the 
     allegation that there were organized rapes done while riot 
     was in progress. The facts show that there were a lot of 
     rapes, while it remains to be proven legally that the rapes 
     were organized deliberately.
       The second fact that is quite shocking is that the military 
     did admit that they have known all along that the riot was 
     going to happen. The Chief Director of the BIA (Army 
     Intelligent Service), Zacky Anwar Makarim said so (KOMPAS, 
     September 3rd, 1998). Zacky also said that the prsence of 
     ``local agitators'' was known.
       Riots broke again in July 1st-7th, 1998 in Jayapura, West 
     Papua. A riot also broke in Kebumen, Central Java, on 
     September 7th as a result of a personal quarrel between a 
     shop owner and a local gangster (reports from local 
     correspondent). Riot also broke in Bagansiapi-api, North 
     Sumatra, on September 15th, as a result of personal quarrel 
     between gangsters.
       Then came the famous ``ninja'' rumors that said that 
     several organized killers disguised as ninjas were on the 
     loose and taking liberty to kill alleged ``dunkun santet'' (a 
     kind of evil shaman). The rumors that begun spreading in 
     Banyuwangi, East Java, in September 1998 has took lives of 
     innocent kyais (Muslim religious leaders).
       The most significant series of riots begun after the 
     November 13th-14th uprising. On November 14th, a small-scale 
     clash between the people and some military personnel nearly 
     incite a riot. But the students managed to prevent it 
     (KOMPAS, May 15th, 1998). But the student were caught by 
     surprise when in Ketapang, North jakarta, on November 15th, a 
     riot broke. Riot of the same kind also occurred in Kupang, 
     West Flores Island.
       Another riot broke in Porsea, North Sumatra, on November 
     23rd. This time, the captured provocateurs revealed that they 
     were

[[Page E238]]

     paid and at the same time threatened not to rebuke the wish 
     of the men that paid them (ANTARA, November 24th, 1998).
       At the end of the year, a riot broke in Poso, Central 
     Sulawesi, which occurred between December 25th and 30th. 
     There are not many data on this riot.
       At the same time, riot broke in Belawan, North Sumatra, 
     which was incited by a personal quarrel between two of the 
     population over a pair of shoes.
       Then came the real shock when a usually peaceful city, 
     Karawang, West java, broke its tradition and fell into riot.
       The second most significant area is Ambon, capital of 
     Maluku islands, where a riot broke on January 19th, 1999.
       What interesting is that one of the alleged provocateur 
     confessed that there is an involvement of ``people from 
     Jakarta'', though the local Police Commander won't disclose 
     further (ANTARA, January 25th, 1999).
       The systematic use of violence by intelligent services can 
     be summed up if we read the manual (Vademecum of Defense and 
     Security) issued by SESKOAD (Academy for Army Staff of 
     Command) which usually produces top agents for those 
     services. One of the chapters deals with the rule when using 
     tortures on captured prisoners.
       It is also well known that these intelligent services also 
     make a full use of local gangster to intimidate the 
     oppositions. There are paramilitary groups supervised 
     directly by local army commands: AMS (Siliwangi Youth) 
     trained, armed, and supervised by the 3rd Military Region 
     (code-named Siliwangi), AMD (Diponegoro Youth) same treatment 
     by 4th Military Region (code-named Diponegoro). When counter 
     demonstration (which shows support to the government) arose, 
     the participants usually came from these Youths or other 
     Youths such as Pemuda Pancasila (Pancasila Youth) or Pemuda 
     PancaMarga, the foremost-two whose leaders have personal 
     relation with Suharto himself. This so-called ``counter-
     demonstrations'' usually aims for a violence physical contact 
     between group making rally. These Youths always carry 
     weapons, at occasions they carry guns.
       It feels a little uncomfortable when we read that some of 
     the riots were instigated by quarrels between local gangster. 
     Or in Banyuwangi case, indicates a direct involvement of 
     those criminals. Or in Porsea case, paid thugs carried out 
     the whole job. It is also very possible that the ones 
     starting looting the shops are also those criminals. They 
     have guts to rob people in broad daylight, surely they would 
     be the first to see that chaos is the best time to loot.
       There has been a proof that there were provocateurs in May 
     14th-15th Riot. The possibility is very high that all other 
     riots are also results of provocations. And Intelligent 
     Services are the best in this business.

     Wsahington, DC, Feb. 8, 1999.

     Solidaritas Nusa Bangsa.
                                                  Ester Jusuf, SH,
                                                       Chairwoman.

     

                          ____________________