Events to mark 'May Tragedy'

Events to mark 'May Tragedy'

JAKARTA (JP): Six groups consisting of victims of state
violence and the Volunteer Team for Humanity are holding a series
of events this month to commemorate tragic incidents in the
nation's recent past, particularly the May 1998 riots.

Woman activist Karlina Leksono Supelli, spokesperson for the
events' organizer, the Victims Association, said on Saturday the
events were being held to remind society about the victims and to
reiterate to the government that the cases were still unsolved.

"Although the six events are coinciding with the May 1998
tragedy, they also speak for the violent acts and human rights
abuses conducted by the government in other areas, such as Aceh,
Maluku, Irian and East Timor.

"The events will cover (the stories of the) victims of fired
workers, farmers whose lands were taken away, women and children
and the poor," she said in a statement.

Most of the events will be held at or near the sites of
tragedies, such as the Semanggi shootings near Atma Jaya
University and shopping centers that were damaged or burned
during the May riots.

The events began on Saturday with a dialogue at Atma Jaya
University and an art performance and long march in Klender, East
Jakarta.

The Humanity Forum will carry out an open discussion on May 20
in the parking lot of the newly renovated Slipi Jaya shopping
center, with an informal discussion at the Bangau Raya Community
Hall in Depok on the following day.

A theatrical work will be performed on May 27 in Tangerang,
and a musical performance will close the events on May 28 at
Pasar Minggu Community Hall in South Jakarta.

A film about the tragedies, which contributed to the downfall
of president Soeharto, will also be shown during the final
event.(01)