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Suharto's death: Time for evaluation of New Zealand's role
Indonesia Human Rights Committee Statement - January 30, 2008
The death of Indonesia's former dictator, General Suharto, must lead to a re-evaluation of his long years at the head of a regime mired in military brutality and corruption. He escaped accountability during his lifetime, but his crimes mark him as one of the worst mass murderers of the twentieth century. The UN Stolen Assets Recovery Unit has stated that Suharto was last century's worst embezzler – 15 to 35 billion dollars stolen by Suharto and his family from the Indonesian people.
New Zealand did not speak out when 500,000 to one million Indonesians were killed, and went on to lend diplomatic and military support to Indonesia while it occupied East Timor and caused the deaths of close to 200,000 innocent people. The same military runs the show in West Papua – the head of the Jayapura military, Colonel Siagian, has been indicted by the UN for his crimes in East Timor in 1999.
New Zealand should seize this critical moment to revive its call for an international tribunal to bring to justice the military criminals responsible for the crimes against humanity in East Timor. It is also the moment to respond to the calls from West Papuan leaders for New Zealand to help with dialogue and mediation to resolve the conflict there which has already resulted in the loss of at least 100,000 lives.
New Zealand took the wrong turning when it resumed defence ties with Indonesia last year and this decision must be reviewed. There have been no significant reforms of the military in Indonesia – Suharto's high ranking officers are still in power and operate under Suharto era rules especially in West Papua where outside access is restricted. New Zealand must not collude with those who continue to repress, torture and intimidate West Papuan human rights workers and activists.
The Timor Leste Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation called for those countries which had given military aid to Indonesia to make reparations and also recommended that there be no further military aid until the Indonesian military was subject to democratic accountability.
As calls mount for new investigations into Suharto-era crimes, New Zealand has a responsibility to face up to its dark past and take action to help achieve justice.
For further information contact Maire Leadbeater on 0274-436-957
Indonesia Human Rights Committee is a solidarity organization which aims to build links between the people of New Zealand and Indonesia by developing network with the groups in Indonesia and around the world who are working for human rights and democracy in Indonesia.
Indonesia Human Rights Committee
PO Box 68-419, Auckland
Phone/fax: 64-9-8159000
Email: maire@clear.net.nz
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