M. Rizal Maslan, Jakarta – There are steps being taken by the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) that are damaging the interests of the state and even benefiting the interests of other parties. Because of this therefore, the Community of Retired Indonesian Military and Police Officers (KBP TNI-Polri) is calling on Komnas HAM not to be used as an instrument to attack the nation itself.
“So that Komnas HAM is not used as an instrument of to attack the nation itself. Komnas HAM should focus its attention more on fulfilling and protecting the basic human rights of the people such as welfare, education and employment opportunities”, said KBP TNI-Polri chairperson retired Lieutenant General Saeful Sulun following a meeting of retired Indonesian military (TNI) and police (Polri) officers at the Sudirman public hall on Jl. Saharjo in South Jakarta on Thursday April 24.
KBP TNI-Polri also stated that it would not collaborate with and opposed all Komnas HAM activities that are based on one-sided justifications. Particularly those that obviously conflict with the law and are outside of Komnas HAM’s mandate as regulated by legislation.
“We understand and support the stand taken by retired TNI and Polri officers who have chosen not to fulfil Komnas HAM’s summons that use unilateral and arbitrary interpretations of the law,” continued Sulun.
Because of this therefore, they are urging other institutions to be consistent and firm in correcting Article 28(i) of the 1945 Constitution in order to prevent multiple interpretation and misuse of the article. In addition to this, Article 43 of Law Number 26/2000 on the Establishment of a Human Rights Court also needs to be reviewed.
The group said that the law being used as an legal umbrella to investigate alleged gross human rights violations in East Timor and the Tanjung Priok shootings in 1984 does not need to be used as an unlimited justification to reopen other past human rights cases.
Komnas HAM is also being asked to immediately make qualitative and quantitative corrections to the composition of its leadership board in order that there be a balanced input from those elements in society that have integrity, experience and professional skills in the legal field in accordance with Article 84 of Law Number 39/1999 on Human Rights.
“In order to prevent manipulation by domestic non-government organisations (NGOs) for the purposes of damaging the nation and state, we ask the government and the House of Representatives immediately issue a law on NGOs for the purpose of guaranteeing transparency during the era of reform”, added Sulun.
Sulun also said that there are indications that rogue Komnas HAM members and particular NGOs are acting in a proactive and arrogant manner by making use of legislative dictums. “This must all stop because it could destroy national unity and weaken the spirit of the security forces in the context of carrying out the duties of the state”, he said by way of conclusion. (nvt/ana)
Notes:
Article 28(i) of the 1945 Constitution reads: “The right not to be charged on the basis of retroactivity is a basic human right that may not be breached under any circumstances.”
[Translated by James Balowski.]
