JAKARTA (UCAN): Rights groups in Indonesia condemned the appointment by the president, Joko Widodo, of two former generals to senior posts in the country’s Defense Ministry on September 28. Both were allegedly involved in the abduction of pro-democracy activists in 1997 and 1998.
Brigadier General Dadang Hendrayudha and Brigadier General Yulius Selvanus were appointed general director of defense potency and head of the defense strategic installation bureau, respectively, to assist defense minister, Prabowo Subianto.
At least 23 people were kidnapped by the military during protests against former dictator Suharto, of whom nine survived, 13 remain missing and another was found dead
Subianto was commander of a group of elite soldiers allegedly behind the abductions. Both generals were members of the team.
Defense Ministry spokesperson, Dahnil Anzar Simajuntak, said the appointments were aimed at “bringing in fresh ideas.”
Amnesty International Indonesia, the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence and other human rights abuse victims’ groups condemned the move.
“The appointment of the two generals goes against the government’s promise to settle past human rights abuses,” Usman Hamid, executive director of Amnesty International Indonesia, said.
Hamid accused Widodo of denying victims and families their right to justice by rewarding people “involved in crimes against humanity.”
Amnesty called on the government to investigate and settle past cases through legal justice and to pay compensation to the families of the disappeared.
“Instead of pursuing those suspected of being responsible for criminal actions, the government opens the door of opportunity for them with positions of power. This is an insult to human rights,” Hamid said.
Fatia Maulidayanti, director of the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence, said the appointment of Hendrayudha and Selvanus shows that impunity thrives in the Indonesian government.
“It shows that the state ignores human rights. Giving abusers key posts violates international human rights standards,” she said.
It also goes against Indonesia’s commitment, made to the United Nations Human Rights Council’s 2017 Universal Periodic Review session, to immediately ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.
“If the perpetrators are still actively involved in government, how can Indonesia prevent and settle cases of enforced disappearance and other gross human rights abuses?” she asked.
Maria Catharina Sumarsih of the Victim Solidarity Network for Justice said Widodo has lied to the Indonesian people.
“(He) protects human rights abusers … The appointments invite the military to abuse again,” she said.
