JAKARTA, RAKYAT NEWS – Amnesty International Indonesia has called for an independent investigation following a deadly explosion during the destruction of unserviceable ammunition by the Indonesian Army (TNI AD) in Garut, West Java. The incident killed 13 people, including nine civilians and four TNI personnel.

Executive Director Usman Hamid expressed condolences to the victims’ families and emphasized that the state has a duty to uphold human rights, particularly the right to life. “Failure to investigate this tragedy is a failure to protect fundamental rights,” he said.

Amnesty urged Commission I of the House of Representatives (DPR RI) to form a fact-finding team. The organization stressed the importance of transparency and accountability in managing military-grade weapons and explosives.

Hamid warned that without strict oversight, similar tragedies could happen again. He emphasized the need for professional standards in handling, transporting, and destroying ammunition, in line with international safety norms.

TNI’s early statements suggesting civilians were scavenging for ammunition debris at the time of the blast were criticized by Amnesty as insensitive and premature. “Such remarks risk blaming the victims and diverting attention from institutional accountability,” Hamid noted.

Amnesty is demanding a thorough, impartial, and independent investigation. The organization believes this is essential to prevent impunity and to restore public trust in how the military handles dangerous materials.

Hamid said the probe should be led by an external body, not the military. He called on the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) and the police to get involved, citing the civilian casualties and the incident’s location outside a military zone.

Komnas HAM was urged to play an active role in the investigation to determine the facts and propose reforms to avoid similar incidents in the future. Amnesty stressed that state negligence in high-risk operations must not go unaddressed.

The explosion occurred on May 12 in Sagara Village, Garut. The victims included military personnel and civilians reportedly assisting in the operation. The disposal took place on land owned by the Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA), a site regularly used for such activities.

TNI officials claimed some civilians may have been collecting metal fragments, a claim disputed by family members and local officials. Relatives said the victims were laborers hired to support the disposal, not scavengers.

According to international mine action standards, explosive disposal must be carried out by qualified personnel under strict safety protocols. Amnesty warned that any lapse in these procedures could amount to a serious human rights violation.(Uki Ruknuddin)

 

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