Armed violence

Armed violence

From Neraca

We are mourning the armed violence against peaceful student demonstrations. Blood was spilled everywhere and lives have been sacrificed. The power is so arrogant in curbing the voice of the students and the people.

We are also aware that the Nov. 13, 1998 tragedy is one in a series of incidents of armed violence taking place in this country. The slaughters in Aceh, Irian Jaya, Tanjung Priok, Lampung, Medan, Ujungpandang, East Timor and many other places has been going on for a long time at an extraordinary level of cruelty.

For a long time, we have seen rifles and guns aimed at our people, who have the right to live in this country and to fight for democracy. The target has not only been students and prodemocracy activists, but also workers in Medan, Bandung, Jakarta, the small village of Sidoarjo (the Marsinah case), farmers and other marginalized communities.

Armed violence has long since been the instrument and culture of the New Order regime. Armed violence has made us a nation that is brutal, arbitrarily trampling human rights.

We re-emphasize that "we are opposed to the use of violence, especially armed violence". Therefore, we demand the accountability of the Habibie government, especially that of Armed Forces Commander Gen. Wiranto and former president Soeharto, on the various incidents of armed violence that have taken place in this country.

TATI KRISNAWATI

Chairperson of the Association

for Women's Solidarity