August 11, 2006..........
Thousands protest impending execution of Catholics in Poso clashes
MAUMERE, Indonesia (UCAN) -- Thousands of Indonesians across the country, including students and religious leaders, on Aug. 10 protested the impending execution of three Catholics convicted of murdering 200 Muslims in 2000.
The Palu Prosecutor's Office in Central Sulawesi province announced on Aug. 8 that Fabianus Tibo, 60, Dominggus da Silva, 39, and Matinus Riwu, 48, would die on Aug. 12. The three were convicted in 2001 of murdering the Muslims in May-June 2000 in the Poso area, Central Sulawesi, and then sentenced to death.
Christian-Muslim clashes from December 1998 to December 2001 in and around the area killed hundreds of people, with estimates ranging as high as 2,000.
The Supreme Court upheld the death sentences of the three, and last Nov. 10, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono rejected their plea for clemency.
On Aug. 10, about 5,000 students from kindergarten to university level took part in a protest in Maumere town, capital of Sikka district, in East Nusa Tenggara province. The protest was coordinated by Divine Word Father Robertus Mirsel, a lecturer at Divine Word-run School of Philosophy, a major seminary in Ledalero, near Maumere, and organized by Forum Peduli Tibo Cs (forum caring for Tibo and his friends).
The demonstration began at 10:00 a.m. in the town's Kota Baru (new city) Square. About an hour later, the protestors marched to the town's Court of Justice Office, about 300 meters from the square. They called on the office head and staff to come out and listen to their demands and speeches.
Adrianus Say read a statement on behalf of all his fellow protestors. He declared, "We refuse all kinds of death sentences, and call on the government to immediately issue a law to abolish the death sentence."
"The (pending) executions indicate the state has failed to protect its citizens," he continued, "and the judicial power has became an instrument of certain parties." He did not name the "parties" to which he was referring.
His statement also included: "Tibo and his friends are victims of a deviated judicial process. The state has chosen to protect the plotters of the violence in Poso, and sentenced the three men to death as if it has upheld the law."
The protestors, who insist the executions violate the Constitution and human rights, want the government to reopen the judicial process for the three men. They promised to continue protesting until the day of the execution.
That same day in Atambua, capital of Belu district in East Nusa Tenggara province, the Religious Leaders Cooperation Forum (FKPA, Indonesian acronym) of Belu and North Central Timor districts organized a press conference in Belu's Legislative Council office to express their stand on the executions.
Divine Word Bishop Anton Pain Ratu of Atambua, FKPA's leader, said, "This situation convinces us the law in Indonesia is implemented only for small people who have no money." He also said: "We acknowledge Tibo and his friends may have done wrong, but their sentence is not commensurate with their acts. Tibo and his friends should not be executed because only God can take life."
In a letter sent on Aug. 10 to the United Nations, FKPA asks the world body to urge Indonesia's government to cancel the executions. The bishop as well as other FKPA members, including Muhammad Hasan, a Muslim, Ida Bagus Putu Sutha, a Hindu, and Reverend Viktor U. Nenohai, a Protestant, signed the message.
In Manado, North Sulawesi province, 2,115 kilometers northeast of Jakarta, several religious leaders issued a statement on Aug. 10 in response to the Palu Prosecutor's Office announcement of the executions. The thre who signed it are: Sacred Heart Bishop Yosephus Suwatan of Manado; Arifin Assegaf, head of Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI, Indonesian acronym) North Sulawesi chapter; and Reverend Nico Gara, president of Asia Fellowship of Mission 21 Partner Churches and vice president of International Synod of Mission 21.
Their statement, published on the website (http://www.mirifica.net) of the Indonesian bishops, declares, "We do not accept the executions of Tibo and his friends because it is not based on justice," and expresses hope the executions will be suspended until a new criminal law is passed. Parliament has been divided on the death sentence, but legislators are now finalizing the bill.
According to the statement, "Making the mistake of taking people's life, which is a gift from God, will affect the image of the judicial process and law enforcement processes, as well as the good name of the Indonesian government among the international community."
Father Jimmy Tumbelaka of St. Theresia Church of Poso, on Aug. 10 told UCA News by phone from Tentena, just south of Poso, that he laments the court's decision because the three to be executed are not guilty as charged.
"The actual culprits are allowed to wander free and have not been arrested, so how could the court make such a decision?" said the priest, referring to Tibo naming 16 people whom he alleges were involved in the murders.
Father Tumbelaka also reported that 2,000 people of different faiths took to the streets in Poso and Tentena on Aug. 10 to protest the impending execution.
Stefanus Roy Rening, who coordinated the legal team for the three men, told UCA News via a mobile phone text message sent on Aug. 10 that the three men's families and their lawyers still do not accept the executions. "Up to now," he said, "President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has not decided whether to accept or reject the second plea for clemency filed by the families of the convicts."
Rening also detailed the men's four last requests. The three want to deliver an open message to the president through a press conference on Aug. 11, and they want three people to attend their executions: Antonius Sujata, head of the National Ombudsman Commission; Father Nobert Betan, director of Advocacy Service for Justice and Peace in Indonesia (Padma, Indonesian acronym); and Father Jimmy Tumbelaka, pastor of St. Theresia Church of Poso.
They also want their bodies brought to St. Mary Church in Palu, and they want Bishop Suwatan to preside at a requiem Mass for them, Rening added.
Father Tumbelaka told UCA News that he is ready to administer penance and the Eucharist, as well as last rites to the three men. "I will accompany them to the execution," the priest said.
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