Shootings of alleged terrorists in Tulungagung violates human rights: Commission

The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) has found alleged human rights violations perpetrated by the National Police’s Densus 88 counterterrorism unit in a shooting case against two Poso-linked suspected terrorists in Tulungagung regency, East Java, on July 22.

Komnas HAM commissioner, Siane Indriani, said that after carrying out an investigation in Tulungagung and Lamongan regencies, on Sunday, the commission found evidence that the Densus 88 counterterrorism unit shot the two alleged terrorists when they could no longer do anything.

“We truly deplored the ‘extra judicial killing’ perpetrated by the Police because it was not the first time for them to do such a heinous crime against their victims who could no longer do anything,” said Siane as quoted by Antara news agency.

She said that the shooting violated human rights. From the perspective of countermeasures against terrorism, such an attack was also counterproductive.

Siane also said that the brutal act could potentially trigger deep resentment as it had caused the victims to be stigmatized as well as trauma for their families even though they had not been proven guilty.

She said that Komnas HAM had repeatedly warned the Police to be careful in handling terrorism cases. “We cannot condone terrorism; however, any effort to eliminate it should promote preventive measures while respecting the legal process,” said Siane.

On July 22, two alleged terrorists –Dayah and Rizal – were shot dead by a Densus 88 team in a raid in Tulungagung, East Java, saying that they resisted arrest. (ebf)



(2013-08-05/thejakartapost)