Subject: CONG: HR Caucus on Human Rights in
Indonesia & ET
Date: Thu, 25 Feb 1999 21:39:55 -0500
From: "John M. Miller" <fbp@igc.apc.org>[Earlier this month the
Congressional Human Rights Caucus held a briefing on Current Human Rights Violations in
Indonesia. The Feb. 9 hearing featured Dr. J.E. Sahetapy (Professor Emeritus, School of
Law, Airlanga University); Mr. Mohammad Fajrul Faalakh (Pro-chairman of the Central Board
of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU - the largest Islamic organization in Indonesia); Lecturer,
School of Law, Gajah Mada University), Reverend Yatvantius Tulai (Pastor, Humanitarian aid
worker; and Ms. Ester Jusef (Founder and Chair of National Solidarity, an Indonesian Human
Rights Organization).]
The inviting letter said in part: "As you may know, serious violence and human
rights abuses have taken place in Indonesia during the recent economic and political
upheaval in that country. While much of the violence has been directed against advocates
for democratic political and social reform, it is also clear that ethnic and religious
minorities have been a particular target of abuse. Witnesses have reported what appear to
be orchestrated burning of homes, brutal killings, and similar violence against ethnic and
religious communities."
Joseph R. Pitts (R-PA) gave the opening statement:
Statement for Members Briefing on Current Human Rights Abuses in Indonesia
Good morning ladies and gentlemen. It is a privilege for me to welcome you to the Human
Rights Caucus Briefing on Current Human Rights Abuses in Indonesia. The extreme nature of
the recent human rights abuses in Indonesia has shocked the world. Reports show that
churches and mosques have been burned, businesses of ethnic minorities have been looted
and destroyed, students were arrested and killed, and women and girls have been brutally
raped and sometimes murdered.
Today's hearing is sponsored by the Congressional Human Rights Caucus. The Caucus,
co-chaired by Congressman John Porter and Congressman Tom Lantos, is a bi-partisan group
of members dedicated to advocating for the protection of human rights worldwide. The
situation in Indonesia has long concerned Human Rights Caucus Members and many American
people because of the long-standing human rights violations in East Timor. It was not
until more recently, however, that the world watched as the horrors perpetrated in East
Timor spread throughout Indonesia.
As you may know, early last year, riots broke out in major cities in Indonesia. As
people stood and watched in horror, rioters looted and destroyed businesses, burned
churches, and caused mass destruction. Then, last May, the world stood horrified as it
learned of the perpetration of mass rapes. Well-documented reports suggest a systematic
plan on the part of the rapists to terrorize the Chinese ethnic community. Groups of
unknown assailants would descend on a community, enter businesses, demand money, rape
women who were present (often while uttering anti-Chinese rhetoric), and loot and
sometimes burn the businesses.
Despite the change in the leadership of Indonesia's government, human rights abuses
continue. Unfortunately, the stories of situations similar to last year's tragedies have
not ceased in Indonesia. Killing and rioting is still occurring. In January of this year,
40 people were killed in a village in Ambon. Attackers in other areas of the island of
Ambon stopped individuals in the streets, asked them what their religion was, and upon the
admittance of Christian beliefs, killed the individuals. Reports suggest that
approximately 20,000 people sought refuge in military bases, police barracks, churches and
mosques" in nots in which "seven mosques, nine churches, and 570 buildings were
burned." Similar reports have come from Banyuwangi, Ketapang, Poso, and other regions
of Indonesia.
Other reports give details that during the noting in the region known as the
"Spice Islands," in one week 15 churches and 11 mosques were badly damaged or
completely destroyed. Local inhabitants of attacked areas often state that villagers lived
in harmony until outsiders came to their homes and, armed with various weapons, instigated
the various riots and attacks on ethnic and religions minorities. These attacks continue
throughout Indonesia.
Many human rights reports suggest that the riots of 1998 and 1999 were orchestrated by
a particular individual or group of individuals. The question in people's minds is who or
what is behind the terrible violence sweeping through the various regions of Indonesia?
Unfortunately, a large portion of the Indonesian population is afraid to report what
they have seen. However, today, we will hear from some courageous individuals who desire
to see justice and national reconciliation in their country so that stability, based on
democracy, will be the norm in Indonesia.
The actions of the perpetrators of rape, murder and other crimes and human rights
abuses are cowardly and should be internationally condemned. In addition, the government
of Indonesia must engage in a thorough investigation to bring to justice those who are
responsible for the horrifying human rights abuses occurring even today.
I applaud the courage of today's panel and thank them for their willingness, though
possibly putting their own lives in danger, to share their knowledge about current human
rights violations in Indonesia and who or what might be behind those abuses. The
Congressional Human Rights Caucus encourages you in your pursuit of protection of and
justice for the Indonesian people.
Contact: Hans Hogrefe
Legislative Assistant Director
Congressional Human Rights Caucus
Office of Representative Tom Lantos
2217 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Tel.: 202-225-3531
http://www.house.gov/lantos/caucus/caucuswebpage.htm
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