KontraS Urges Police to React to Event Disbandment in Yogyakarta

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Commission for Missing Persons and Violence Victims (KontraS) has blasted Yogyakarta Precinct Police Operational Department Chief Comr. Sigit Haryadi and the members of the department over recent disbandment of the screening of Buru Island film in Yogyakarta. “The National Police Chief must take firm action,” Haris Azhar, Coordinator of KontraS Worker Division, told Tempo yesterday.

Haris said Sigit has violated security procedures and undermined human rights. The screening was originally planned to be carried out at the office of Independent Journalists Alliance (AJI) Yogyakarta on Tuesday, May 3, to commemorate World Press Freedom Day.

The screening, however, was stopped as police officers came to AJI Yogyakarta office and forcefully disband the event. They disbandment was carried out together with the Communication Forum of Veteran’s Children (FKPPI), citing lack of permit and possible conflict with external parties.

Haris has called for trial of Yogyakarta police officers who were involved in the disbandment. Moreover, police were deemed to have deliberately involved intolerant groups in the event disbandment. Police have breached Law No.39/1999 on Human Rights, according to him.

He also criticized Sigit who has failed to guarantee the security of the event. It shows the state’s lack of will to protect its citizens’ right to freedom of association. Police had also asked local officials to make a statement rejecting the event.

Haris said that the film has previously been screened in the Symposium 65 on April 18-19, 2016. It was even watched by state officials.

AVIT HIDAYAT