Indonesia Human Rights Network Urges New Indonesian President To Curtail Military And Police Abuses
July 23, 2001-- The Indonesia Human Rights Network (IHRN) today called on Megawati Sukarnoputri to halt a crackdown by
Indonesian security forces on human rights activists and other civilians in Aceh, West Papua and elsewhere in the
archipelago. Megawati was appointed President of Indonesia on Monday morning, following the impeachment of Abdurrahman
Wahid in a Special Session of the Indonesian parliament. "We urge all Indonesian forces-police and military-to refrain
from violent action during this potentially volatile transition," said Megan Walsh for IHRN.
So far today Jakarta has remained relatively calm, as Wahid (known as Gus Dur) refused to leave the presidential
mansion. But military and police operations have been escalating throughout Indonesia for weeks. In Aceh security forces
have pitted minority Gayos people against Javanese transmigrants; they are responsible for massacres, house burnings,
and the displacement of thousands in Central Aceh. In West Papua, BRIMOB mobile police and Kopassus special forces have
been carrying out massive "sweeps" against civilians, arresting dozens and displacing thousands.
"In this political climate activists in Jakarta fear the security forces could target them too. Human rights advocates
in Aceh and West Papua, already under attack, fear an even worse clampdown," said Lynn Fredriksson, Co-founder of IHRN.
"It's been weeks of intensified raids, arrests and beatings in Aceh, targeting prominent human rights organizations. As
a show of good will, President Megawati Sukarnoputri should immediately stop these atrocities by ordering police and
military to desist. Nothing could do more to stabilize Indonesia."
In other areas of Indonesia, police and military frequently condone militia violence, as in Maluku where they fuel
Christian-Muslim conflict. In West Timor, militias acting as military proxies still control the fate of tens of
thousands of East Timorese refugees.
"The Indonesia Human Rights Network urges Megawati to do everything in her power to put an end to military and police
violence, and to work to establish a judiciary with the authority, capacity and support to bring those responsible for
human rights violations to justice," said Walsh. "In order to prevent further violations, Megawati should act quickly to
open access to conflict areas throughout Indonesia to international human rights and humanitarian workers, and the
press. She should invite in UN special rapporteurs."
The United States has withheld most assistance from the Indonesian military since it leveled East Timor, with militia
proxies, in September 1999. Most U.S. military assistance is now restricted by what are known as the "Leahy conditions."
None of these conditions has been met.
"IHRN urges the U.S. government to uphold its commitment to genuine reform by maintaining all current restrictions on
military assistance and refraining from police assistance to Indonesia until the most basic human rights of people
throughout the archipelago are respected," said Fredriksson.
The Indonesia Human Rights Network (IHRN) is a U.S.-based grassroots organization working to educate and activate the
American public and influence U.S. foreign policy and international economic interests to support democracy,
demilitarization, and justice through accountability and rule of law in Indonesia. IHRN seeks to end armed forces
repression in Indonesia by exposing it to international scrutiny. IHRN works with and advocates on behalf of people
throughout the Indonesian archipelago to strengthen civil society.
IHRN members and advisors are available for interviews.
Ends