Danu Damarjati, Jakarta – Following the riots that took place in Jakarta on May 22, the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) and 15 LBH branches across Indonesia are calling on the political elite to stop triggering conflicts.
“LBH-YLBHI is calling on the political elite to stop sacrificing human life/the ordinary people, to try and cool the situation down and unite”, read a press release by YLBHI and 15 LBH branches on Thursday May 23.
The group also called for an immediate end to the violence and not to let any more people fall victim. Aside from the political elite, they also called on the public to create a socio-political atmosphere which is calm, show self-restrained and to avoid actions which could trigger violence.
“The LBH-YLBHI found that the developments were an [intentional] effort to create clashes between social groups or an effort to promote horizontal conflicts. If this is allowed to continue, it will be extremely dangerous and have the potential for a further escalation of violence. We must be on guard and increase the level of vigilance in receiving and disseminating information which is increasing ridden with hatred and divisiveness”, said the statement.
The police needs to show extra patience with the May 22 situation. The group is calling on the police to differentiate in its behaviour towards peaceful mass actions and rioters and provocateurs. The involvement of the TNI (Indonesian military) needs to be avoided so that they do not violate the public’s civil rights.
“TNI should not involve themselves without instructions from the civil authorities. This is not just to fulfill the constitutional rights of expression for protesters but also to protect the safety of broader society”, they said.
The YLBHI is also calling on journalists to be careful about broadcasting reports containing violence. They are concerned that these kinds of reports will in fact trigger further provocations.
This is regulated under Law Number 32/2002 on Broadcasting. The mass media needs to hold the spirit of peaceful journalism in the highest esteem.
In relation to the May 22 riots themselves, they want the case to be fully investigated and to involve the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM).
“Komnas HAM needs to conduct an immediate review and investigation in order to expose the intellectual actors and entrepreneurs of the conflict”, they said.
The statement was issued by the YLBHI, LBH Banda Aceh, LBH Medan, LBH Padang, LBH Pekanbaru, LBH Palembang, LBH Bandar Lampung, LBH Jakarta, LBH Bandung, LBH Semarang, LBH Yogyakarta, LBH Surabaya, LBH Bali, LBH Makassar, LBH Manado, and LBH Papua. (dnu/fdn)
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was “22 Mei Rusuh, YLBHI Minta Elite Politik Setop Korbankan Manusia”.]
