TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Haris Azhar, coordinator of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras), regretted President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's decision to appoint former Indonesian Military Commander Wiranto as the Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Minister.
Kontras viewed that Wiranto was responsible for several human rights violations, including an attack against the office of the Indonesia Democratic Party (PDI) Central Executive Board on July 27, 1996, the Trisakti and Semanggi tragedies, as well as kidnappings of activists.
In addition, Haris said that Wiranto was mentioned in a United Nations report under the mandate of the Serious Crime Unit. The report said that Wiranto failed to coordinate military and police personnel to prevent crimes against humanity.
"The report has hampered him to enter international jurisdictions, including the United States back in 2003," Haris said in a press release on Wednesday, July 27, 2016.
The inauguration of 12 new ministers today coincided with the 20th anniversary of the tragedy occurred in 1996. Wiranto was promoted as a four-star general and occupied the Army Chief of Staff post.
Kontras called on public to express solidarity to victims of human rights violations and their families, so that the state would be responsible and uphold justice.
"We must ensure that human rights violators will be brought to justice under the law of the Republic of Indonesia," Haris urged.
AHMAD FAIZ