Subject: TAPOL:ABRI MUST BE TAKEN OFF THE STREETS
AND OUT OF POLITICS
Date: Sat, 14 Nov 1998 13:24:32 GMT
From: tapol@gn.apc.org (TAPOL)The following statement was issued today by TAPOL, the
Indonesian Human Rights Campaign:
14 November 1998
STATEMENT ON JAKARTA'S BLOODY FRIDAY
ARMED FORCES MUST BE TAKEN OFF THE STREETS AND OUT OF POLITICS
TAPOL has today called on the British Government and the European Union to make strong
representations to the Indonesia Government condemning the bloodshed in Jakarta on 13
November when troops opened fire on defenceless demonstrators, killing at least six
students and wounding scores of people.
As the horrific events unfolded, it was clear that heavily-armed troops were under
orders to prevent tens of thousands of students and hundreds of thousands of citizens from
getting anywhere near the building where the Supreme Consultative Assembly (MPR) was
holding its four-day session.
The precise number of deaths during four days of demonstrations in Jakarta cannot yet
be determined as many of the wounded are in a critical condition. Most of those killed on
Friday died from gunshot wounds.
Troops opened fire in a number of places throughout Jakarta and continued for seven
hours. For much of the time, troops fired straight into the crowds. Many demonstrators
were beaten as they fell to the ground for cover or carried the wounded to safety. The
troops also used water cannon and tear-gas in an attempt to disperse the huge crowds.
While it has not yet been established whether live ammunition was used, it is clear is
that even rubber-coated bullets are lethal when fired at close range.
Weeks before the MPR meeting took place, armed forces commander General Wiranto
announced that he would deploy 30,000 troops to 'secure' the MPR meeting and mobilise
125,000 'civilian guards' to confront the demonstrators. Members of these gangs, armed
with bamboo spears, operated throughout the city and were rebuffed in many places by local
people. Scuffles broke out during which several people on both sides were killed or
wounded. ABRI's attempt to pit armed civilians against defenceless peaceful demonstrators
was a particularly contemptible aspect of its strategy to protect the MPR meeting
It was also clear that students from universities across Jakarta and from other cities
would converge on the capital to protest against the MPR, a body composed largely of
Suharto appointees, to demand an end to ABRI's role in political affairs and call for the
country's former dictator, Suharto to go on trial for corruption and for his many crimes
against the people of Indonesia, East Timor, Aceh and West Papua. The students were in
defiant mood, no longer afraid of troops whose depravities over the past three decades
have been widely exposed since Suharto was toppled by the student movement earlier this
year.
Far from recognising the right of students and the common people to give expression to
their demands and aspirations, the ABRI commander-in-chief opted for the security approach
which has taken such a heavy toll during the 32 years of the Suharto dictatorship. From
the outset, it was obvious that confrontation was inevitable and that the deployment of
such huge forces would only increase the likelihood of violence.
The decision to convene a Special Session of the MPR had been condemned for months by
the pro-democracy forces. They condemned the MPR as being incapable of introducing the
democratic reforms necessary to bring about a transformation to a truly multi-party system
following early general elections, to pave the way for a civilian government untainted by
the militarism that has held the country in its grip since 1965. More than half the
members of the MPR were appointed by Suharto, while the discredited GOLKAR, the political
vehicle of Suharto, holds hold nearly 600 seats in the 1,000-strong assembly.
Responsibility for the events on Bloody Friday must be fully borne by the ABRI
commander-in-chief, General Wiranto, who was in charge of the operation. He cannot hide
behind excuses about 'rogue elements' exceeding their orders or acting outside procedures.
The scenes on television relayed around the world throughout the day make it clear that
the operation went on for hours with no attempt to restrain the troops. Indeed, while the
dead and wounded were still being counted, Wiranto went on record today threatening 'even
harsher and firmer' action against anyone demonstrating in Jakarta.
The results of the MPR session announced on Friday fully confirm the criticisms and
ensure that the massive protests of the past few days will gather momentum in the days and
weeks to come.
As pressure for Indonesia's transformation to democracy gathers strength, TAPOL has
called on the British government and its partners in the European Union:
1. To condemn in the strongest terms the killings perpetrated by ABRI during the past
week and to press for an independent inquiry. 2. To call for ABRI troops to be taken off
the streets of Jakarta and other cities immediately, leaving public order in the hands of
unarmed police under strict instructions to allow peaceful demonstrations. 3. To press for
the dismissal of General Wiranto so that he can be called to account in a court of law for
the events of the past few days. 4. To call for ABRI's withdrawal from political affairs.
Western governments should recognise that as long as ABRI maintains its grip on political
affairs, all attempts to promote democracy and solve the country's grave economic problems
will come to naught.
TAPOL has also called on the British Government to abandon its policy of 'constructive
partnership' with Indonesia. The Labour Government should recognise that just as
'constructive partnership' with the Suharto regime - which it has pursued since May last
year - was an abomination, this remains true with a regime that has retained all the
structures of Suharto's New Order and with the armed forces continuing to hold a dominant
position.
TAPOL also calls upon solidarity groups around the world working on behalf of the
people of Indonesia, East Timor and West Papua to press these demands on their own
governments.
TAPOL, the Indonesia Human Rights Campaign 111 Northwood Road, Thornton Heath, Surrey
CR7 8HW, UK Phone: 0181 771-2904 Fax: 0181 653-0322 email: tapol@gn.apc.org Campaigning to
expose human rights violations in Indonesia, East Timor, West Papua and Aceh
Join us to celebrate TAPOL's 25th anniversary on 20 October 1998. Contact us for ticket
details.
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