Mothers seek justice over missing children

By Konradus Epa, Jakarta

Forty mothers erected tents in front of Jakarta’s Presidential Palace yesterday in a bid for President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to intervene to resolve the kidnapping and shooting of their children a decade ago.

Backed by activists from 20 NGOs including the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS), the women, all aged over 60, called on the president to “be brave.”

“He should not be afraid of becoming involved in resolving human rights violations,” said Tuti Koto, 68, whose son was kidnapped and disappeared during the May 1998 riots.

Disappearances of political party members began in 1996. During the 1998 riots, youth activists and students protesting against former President Suharto’s New Order regime also began to disappear, with thirteen people still not accounted for.

“We want (the president) to explain to us why our children are still missing. We met with authorities to seek justice, but there is still no news,” Tuti Koto said.

“Twelve years is not a short time,” added Maria Catharina Sumarsih, a 63-year-old Catholic mother whose son was shot dead in May 1998.

“We already feel tired, but give us a chance,” she said.

Daud Berueh, who coordinated the protest, told ucanews.com that the protest aimed to highlight a series of recommendations made by legislators last year.

The recommendations included the establishment of Ad Hoc Human Rights Court, a search for the missing, rehabilitation and compensation to the missing people’s families, and ratification of the International Convention for Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.

“We want the president to follow up with the recommendations,” he asserted.