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Kontras installs new chief
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Frontline rights defenders: Yati Andriyani (second left), then advocacy leader of the the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras), gives a press statement on Munir's case in Jakarta on Feb.18. Yati was elected as Kontras' new chairman, replacing Haris Azhar (right). (Antara/Rosa Panggabean)
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he Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) has elected Yati Andriyani as its new coordinator, replacing Haris Azhar, whose term of office ended last week.
Yati, the commission’s former advocacy leader, will lead the human rights watchdog until 2020. Kontras is well known as the frontline campaigner for the rights of victims of violence. As the leader of Kontras’ advocacy team, Yati was involved in several investigations, including one that uncovered slavery practices that affected 34 workers of a kitchenware factory in Tangerang, Banten, in 2013. The case drew public attention nationwide.
Under her leadership, Yati said, Kontras will focus its attention on campaigning for the rights of marginalized groups, particularly those who live outside of the capital city, and pushing the state to fulfill its obligations to respect, protect and uphold the rights of all people in the country.
“Many violations in regional areas are out of the reach of the media’s monitoring. At the same time, the state tends to ignore human rights concerns for the sake of development and investment,” Yati said.
She further said Kontras would also continue to guard ongoing discussions to seek solutions for prolonged gross past rights abuses.
“The commitment of the state to end human rights violations in the past has not yet been seen. The government must comply with legal procedures in working on the solutions, in line with the President’s directives.” (ebf)
