Investigations Kidnapping of activists | Lampung Massacre

Kidnapping of activists

Approaching Indonesia's General Assembly (MPR) session in 1997 the economic crisis brought Indonesian society to a critical juncture. In some places people were brave enough to criticize the existing government. Civil society's ongoing protest took on steam and was seen as an important factor in promoting discussion about the end of the New Order. Therefore, in order to endorse the General Assembly's proposed agenda and promote the status quo, it was necessary for the government to overcome these waves of protest. One of the best ways to accomplish this goal was to arrest those perceived as being the leaders of the protests against the government.

Towards this end, ABRI established a special task force to kidnap political leaders. This task force was given orders to kidnap 21 political activists during the period from February to May 1997. After these individuals were kidnapped they were kept in special detention. According to witnesses who experienced the arrests and kidnappings, torture was employed as a tactic to subdue the activists and obtain information from them. Almost all of the activists held in detention suffered injuries. Subjects of inquiry addressed during the detentions included information about political activities leading up to the General Assembly, as well as the relationships between activists and the protest leaders.

The kidnapping cases disclose when activists began serving as witnesses to these abuses. This has gotten the attention of many people, students, NGOs, members of political parties, the press and the whole world. Often victims are asked to provide testimony to elucidate their experience. In general, such actions have been seen as a nuisance and certain groups have put pressure on the government to find a solution to this problem. In response to the public outcry, the government held a meeting to discuss the kidnappings. After the public meeting, the government held a meeting called "Dewan Kehormatan Perwira", or the Honorary Board of Military Officers, in order to expel or punish officers accused of kidnapping activities by lowering their military rank. Nevertheless, these meetings do not address the heart of the issue or solve the problem.

Moreover, there are some kidnapping cases, including the fate of 13 missing activists, which have yet to be touched in the official meetings on this topic. KONTRAS hypothesizes that individuals other than KOPASSUS, which is a special military unit, for example military officials, such as high-ranking officers from other parts of the military, might be involved.

The kidnapping also happen the riots that took place from May 13-14, 1998. Currently, four people are still missing. One of the disappeared activists is believed to have been kidnapped from a local shopping mall. While NGOs such as KONTRAS, and concerned individuals have made significant efforts to locate the missing activists, the government appears to have no interest in doing so.

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Hundreds of Victims Resulted from the Lampung Massacre

In 1998, Lampung joined Aceh and Irian Jaya as regions of concern with regards to large disturbance of civilians' peace and security. Anwar Warsidi heads a movement known as the civil disturbance movement (GPK) in Lampung, which is located in southern Sumatra. Lampung differs from Aceh and Irian Jaya in that it is not a designated Military Operation Area. Despite this distinction, the victims of the GPK operation in Lampung are numerous, estimated to be in the hundreds.

According to a report of Solidarity Movement for Lampung Victims (SMALAM) Committee in Lampung the butchering began in a community which was established in 1978 in the Dusun Talangsari II in Rajabasa Lama village, Sub District Way Jepara and District Middle Lampung. The community was established after a meeting was held to conduct a special set of Muslim prayers. In 1989 the number of inhabitants in this community of Muslim faith numbered around 550, including both adults and children.

In 1989 tensions start between this Islamic group, known as the Warsidi group, and the military. Because Way Jepara Military Rayon Commander, Captain Soetiman, received information from the Head Sub District of Way Jepara Zulkifli Maliki about the Warsidi activities. The military commander was suspected that Wardisi activities is Islamic movement and proceeded to call Mr.Warsidi to his office, who did not comply with this request.

Furthermore, on February 6, 1989 there was a meeting attended by Mayor E. O Sinaga (Military District Staff of Middle Lampung ), who was accompanied by his personnel. During Warsidi Santri's (students) first visit with the military, there was gunfire, which eventually led to a conflict between Warsidi Muslim students and the military forces. (Source: Ummat no. 8 Th IV 31 August 1998). At least one member of the military, an individual named Captain Soetiman, was killed during that conflict.

The next day, on February 7, 1989 50 military personnel arrived in two Helicopters commanded by Colonel Hendropriyono (Resort Military Commander) 043 Garuda Hitam Resort Military attacked the Warsidi Moslem Community. This brutal attack resulted in 246 victims, 94 of whom were under 17 years old. In a gender breakdown, 119 of the victims were men and 127 were women.

At least the Warsidi Moslem community has accused by government as GPK until now. (WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?) Survivors suffer psychological repercussions, in addition to those who have been left behind: widows, widowers and orphans, for example. Many adults involved in the attack are currently unemployed and many children from the community are not able to obtain a decent education because they have been accused of being members of GPK.