Wiranto clear of rights abuses: Solahuddin<\/p>\n
Abdul Khalik, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Vice presidential candidate Solahuddin Wahid defended his running
\nmate Wiranto on Wednesday, saying the National Commission on
\nHuman Rights (Komnas HAM) had no proof the retired Army general
\nhad committed any human rights violations.<\/p>\n
Speaking after a discussion with the Association of Indonesian
\nMuslim Intellectuals (ICMI), Solahuddin, a former member of
\nKomnas HAM, said he had handed over all the evidence he had
\ngathered as a commission member on the May 1998 riots to the
\nHouse of Representatives and the Attorney General's Office.<\/p>\n
\"It is now up to them to decide. But from all the evidence the
\ncommission has gathered, Wiranto is innocent of gross human
\nrights violations,\" said Solahuddin.<\/p>\n
As a deputy chairman of Komnas HAM in 2002, Solahuddin led a
\nteam investigating the May 1998 riots, which took place while
\nWiranto was Indonesian Military (TNI) chief and the minister of
\ndefense. Hundreds of people were killed and scores of women,
\nmostly Chinese-Indonesian, were allegedly raped during the riots.<\/p>\n
Solahuddin's team attempted to subpoena several key military
\nofficers, including Wiranto, but the officers ignored the
\nsummons.<\/p>\n
Komnas HAM presented a 16-page report on the riots to then
\nattorney general Marzuki Darusman on Jan. 31, 2000. The report
\nurged that Wiranto, along with 33 other high-ranking officers, be
\ninvestigated for the failure of the TNI chief to ensure security.
\nHowever, a list of suspects later released by the Attorney
\nGeneral's Office did not include Wiranto.<\/p>\n
A joint fact-finding team announced on Nov. 3, 1998, that
\nindividuals within the armed forces took an active role in
\ninciting the May riots. The team also confirmed the occurrence of
\nrape and sexual assault during the violence.<\/p>\n
In a related development, a United Nations-sponsored East
\nTimor tribunal recently issued an arrest warrant for Wiranto for
\nalleged crimes against humanity before and after a referendum in
\nthe former Indonesian province.<\/p>\n
Wiranto was the TNI commander when the violence erupted in
\nEast Timor in 1999. About 1,400 people were killed during the
\nviolence.<\/p>\n
Solahuddin, who was also a deputy chairman of the 40-million
\nstrong Nahdlatul Ulama before resigning recently, said Indonesia
\nhad to resolve its own problems and should not be dictated to by
\nforeign countries.<\/p>\n
\"We must not follow certain groups that are being directed by
\nforeign interests. These people have no sense of nationality,\"
\nsaid Solahuddin, who is also a deputy chairman of the Association
\nof Indonesian Muslim Intellectuals.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/wiranto-clear-of-rights-abuses-solahuddin-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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