Posted on Thu, 04/22/2004 - 16:54. Articles on Indonesia

Ex-general's presidential nomination a blow for Indonesian democracy

TAPOL Press release (see below for action note)

21 April 2004 - Indonesia's transition from dictatorship to democracy has
been dealt a severe blow by today's nomination of former military chief
General (ret.) Wiranto as the presidential candidate for the Golkar party
of ex-dictator Suharto, says TAPOL the Indonesia Human Rights Campaign.

Wiranto was commander-in-chief of Indonesia's armed forces at the time of
East Timor's 1999 vote for independence when systematic and gross
violations of human rights were perpetrated against the civilian population
by the Indonesian army and its militia proxies. He has been indicted on
crimes against humanity charges by East Timor's UN-backed serious crimes
tribunal.

"It is outrageous that a person indicted on such serious charges can aspire
to high political office in this way. This is a major setback to efforts
to end impunity, improve respect for human rights, and establish the rule
of law, all key elements in building a meaningful democracy in Indonesia",
says TAPOL spokesperson, Paul Barber.

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