Commission XIII Of The House Of Representatives Asks Officials To Reveal The Death Of Environmental Activists Vian Ruma According To Facts

JAKARTA - Deputy Chairman of Commission XIII of the House of Representatives Andreas Hugo Pareira asked the government and law enforcement officials (APH) to seriously address the case of the death of an environmental activist from East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), Vian Ruma, who is known to actively voice rejection of the Geothermal project in his area. He asked the authorities to reveal the case according to the facts.

"This tragic case is not only a matter of the loss of the life of a child of the nation, but also concerns aspects of protecting human rights and guaranteeing the freedom of expression of citizens. APH (Law Enforcement Officer, ed) needs to reveal this case as true according to facts," said Andreas, Wednesday, September 10.

The PDIP legislator from the NTT I electoral district also urged law enforcement officials to immediately carry out a transparent, accountable, and independent investigation into this incident. So that justice can be upheld and does not cause bad precedents for human rights protection in Indonesia.

"Law enforcement, in this case the police need to explain the case so that it is clear the background and cause of death from the death of the deceased. This explanation is so that there are no interpretations that are biased about the cause of death concerned," said Andreas.

Andreas stressed the importance of strengthening regulations that guarantee freedom of opinion, protection of human rights defenders, and monitoring mechanisms so that development, including in the energy sector, does not violate basic principles of human rights.

"Reformation of regulations in the field of human rights protection must be ensured that it is real, so that the community has legal certainty when voicing criticism and different views on development policies," he said.

The chairman of the House of Representatives commission in charge of human rights affairs (HAM) also reminded the state to be obliged to protect every citizen.

This, said Andreas, includes environmental activists to be free from all forms of violence, intimidation, and criminalization.

"This tragedy serves as a reminder that true development must be in line with respect for human rights, open regulations, and protection for every citizen who fights for the future of the environment and humanity," he concluded.

As previously reported, an activist who was active in the geothermal project rejection movement on Flores Island, East Nusa Tenggara, Vian Ruma (30), was found dead hanging in a plantation center in Tonggo Village, Nangaroro District, Nagekeo Regency on Friday, September 5.

At the scene of the incident, his motorbike was found parked outside the hut and a cell phone that was lying not far from the victim's position. At that location, bloodstains were also found which further strengthened the family's confidence that the victim was suspected of experiencing violence.

After being found, the victim was immediately buried in his hometown in Ngera Village, Central Keo District, Nagekeo Regency, Saturday, September 6.

However, the family asked the police to investigate Vian's death because it was considered that there were irregularities in the death of the young NTT activist.

For example, the rope that was wrapped around the victim's neck was a rope.

Likewise the position of the victim's feet that touched the floor. The family considered that under these conditions, it was impossible for the victim to die if there was no previous violence.