LBH Jakarta: Authorities Intimidate Bukit Duri Residents

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Legal Aid Institute (LBH Jakarta) said residents of Bukit Duri in South Jakarta had often been intimidated by Jakarta administration and police in the build-up of the planned eviction on Wednesday.

“We have noticed that Jakarta administration has been conducting forced eviction and has failed to met the requirements for such eviction as stipulated in the Law on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights,” LBH Jakarta’s Citra Referendum said Tuesday in a press release.

LBH has noted that five violations were made before the eviction. First, residents had been intimidated by government authorities and police, who had been patrolling around the village on almost a daily basis.

Second, authorities and police had been attempting to force residents to take the option of moving to low-cost apartment. Moreover, the Army (TNI) had been involved in the eviction process.

“LBH Jakarta urges the TNI and the National Police not to take part in the process of the forced eviction because it is beyond their authority as stipulated in both the Law on the TNI and Law on National Police,” Citra said.

Lastly, LBH also found that residents had been blocked by local authorities from moving to rental properties. Residents had been forced to opt for the low-cost apartment.

LBH also considered that the authorities had failed to observe legal proceedings at the Central Jakarta Administrative Court and District Court.

Citra said intimidation against Bukit Duri residents has caused them distress.

“LBH Jakarta condemns any kind of intimidation. It has shown that it is the government and security personnel themselves who have been disturbing public order,” Citra said.

EGI ADYATAMA