A-I Disappointed by U.S. Government Decision to Train Suspected Human Rights Violators in Indonesian

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Amnesty International

July 22, 2010
4:09 PM

Amnesty International Disappointed by U.S. Government Decision to Train Suspected Human Rights Violators in Indonesian Military
Urges President Obama to Meet the Families of those Killed by the Kopassus during Upcoming Visit

WASHINGTON - July 22 - Amnesty International today expressed disappointment in the announcement from the Department of Defense that the United States will provide training to the Indonesian Special Forces unit, Kopassus, which is known for grave human rights violations. The following statement can be attributed to T. Kumar, AIUSA's director for international advocacy.

"Amnesty International is disappointed by the decision that U.S. forces will train the Kopassus unit. It sends the wrong message in a country where mass and severe human rights violations have taken place in an atmosphere of impunity. U.S. support to this unit undercuts the recent efforts advocating reform within the Indonesian military. Amnesty International calls upon the U.S. administration to make public what commitments they received from the Indonesian authorities about bringing Kopassus military leaders to justice and also calls upon President Obama, in his upcoming visit to Indonesia, to speak publicly about human rights abuses in Indonesia and to meet the families of those killed by the Kopassus.

The Kopassus unit has been linked to serious human rights violations in Indonesia including killings and torture in East Timor, Papua, Aceh and elsewhere. Amnesty International calls for all crimes allegedly perpetrated by Kopassus members and others in the Indonesian military to be brought to court in proceedings that meet fair trail standards and victims should receive reparations.

While the Secretary of Defense offered assurances that all training will be conducted within the confines of U.S. law and that the collaboration does not weaken U.S. support of human rights, Amnesty International recommends that background screenings be conducted prior to any Indonesian military official suspected of involvement in human rights abuses, before receiving U.S.-backed training."


Read more: http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2010/07/22-8

[Judi Lynn]

1. U.S. to end ban on Indonesia's special forces, angering human rights groups

U.S. to end ban on Indonesia's special forces, angering human rights groups
By Craig Whitlock
Friday, July 23, 2010

JAKARTA -- The U.S. military said Thursday that it will resume relations with Indonesia's special forces, an elite group blamed for atrocities and repression during the country's dark years of authoritarianism.

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, in a visit here, said the United States will end its 12-year prohibition on contacts and assistance to the special forces after the Obama administration concluded that the unit had cleaned up its ranks and is committed to human rights.

"These initial steps will take place within the limits of U.S. law and do not signal any lessening of the importance we place on human rights and accountability," Gates said after meeting with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. "Our ability to expand upon these initial steps will depend on continued implementation of reforms."

Although the Pentagon has been pressing for years to resume contact with the Indonesian special forces, human rights groups and some U.S. lawmakers have resisted, arguing that the unit has stymied efforts to hold current and former military leaders responsible for kidnappings, assassinations and other crimes.

More:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/22/AR2010072205528.html

[dflprincess]

2. "do not signal any lessening of the importance we place on human rights and accountability"

and we know just how committed this administration is to human rights. Just ignore that detenetion without charges or trial, thing.

[No Elephants]

3. AI and ACLU. Each takes something from my mastercard every month. It's not

much per month, but it's steady and long term and they don't have to pay anyone to solicit funds from me.

I've never regretted a dime, either. To the contrary, every time I see a story like this, I wish I had more to give.

I highly recommend thinking about a monthly donation.