| Subject: Human rights activists protest
against new Indonesian defence head
April 16, 2005, Saturday
Human rights activists protest against new Indonesian defence head
The Jakarta Post web site, Jakarta, in English 15 Apr 05
Text of Antara report published in English by Indonesian newspaper The
Jakarta Post web site on 15 April
Jakarta: A group of human rights victims staged a protest on Friday [15
April ] over the installation of controversial army general Maj-Gen
Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin as the new secretary-general of the Ministry of
Defence.
The protest was staged several hours after Sjafrie, who has been linked
to a series of human rights violations in Jakarta and East Timor, was
installed to assume the key post in the Defence Ministry.
Based on a decree on the major reshuffle at the Indonesian Military (TNI)
signed by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Wednesday, Sjafrie, the
former Indonesian military spokesman, has been appointed as the ministry's
new secretary-general, replacing Vice Marshall Suprihadi.
Sjafrie's appointment has sparked furore among rights activists who
allege he played a role in the kidnappings and killings of dissidents in
the 1990s.
Up to 50 people flocked to the Defence Ministry building in Central
Jakarta, shortly after Sjafrie was installed, displaying signs denouncing
the general's promotion.
The protesters also accused Sjafrie of involvement in widespread riots
in Jakarta at the height of an economic crisis and political upheaval in
May 1998.
The riots, triggered by the fatal shooting of four university students
during a protest demanding the resignation of president Soeharto, left
more than 1,000 dead and led to the downfall of the authoritarian leader.
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