Indra Komara, Jakarta – As many as eight residents were injured and one died in an alleged attack by 33 TNI (Indonesian military) soldiers on Friday November 8 at the Selamat Village in Sibiru-Biru sub-district, Deli Serdang, North Sumatra (Sumut).
The Civil Society Coalition has condemned the incident and is calling for the unscrupulous TNI soldiers that perpetrated the attack to be tried.
"The Civil Society Coalition for Security Sector Reform strongly condemns the mindless attack and is calling for the perpetrators of the attack to be tried immediately", said the Coalition in a written statement, on Monday October 11.
The Coalition believes that the explanation given for the attack, that it was triggered by the presence of a motorcycle gang that did not accept being reprimanded by the soldiers, has no basis. This argument is considered as a justification for conducting a sweep and attacking civilians.
"If the TNI members saw or know about the presence of a motorcycle gang that was creating unease and disturbing the community, then the TNI members should have reported it to the police, not acting brutally by attacking the residents. Members of the TNI are not allowed to take unilateral action outside the law", explained the Coalition.
The Coalition believes that the attack on the residents shows the arrogant and arbitrary tendencies that are still strong among members of the TNI towards civilians.
"The members of the TNI who are suspected of carrying out the brutal attack should not be left off without legal proceedings and must be punished in accordance with their actions", the Coalition said.
The following are two key points being made by the Civil Society Coalition for Security Sector Reform:
1. The members of the TNI who carried out the attack on civilians in the Selamat Village, Sibiru-Biru sub-district, Deli Serdang regency, North Sumatra, must be tried and legally processed through the general court system, not the military courts.
2. The government and the House of Representatives (DPR) must immediately include revisions to Law Number 31/1997 on Military Courts in the 2024-2029 National Legislation Program (Prolegnas) for immediate discussion by the DPR and the government in the next legislation period. (idn/dhn)
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Koalisi Masyarakat Sipil Desak Oknum TNI Serang Warga Deli Serdang Diadili".]
