Rights group elects lawyer as chairman

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: Lawyer Johnson Panjaitan was elected on Saturday as chairman of the Indonesian Legal Aid and Human Rights Association (PBHI), succeeding PBHI and founder Hendardi.

At the conclusion of the PBHI's congress here on Saturday, Hendardi said the country's judiciary had failed to properly handle high-profile corruption and human rights cases, and instead provided leeway for perpetrators to escape justice.

"Injustice continues inside the courtrooms, with many suspects in gross human rights violations and mega-corruption cases walking free," Hendardi said.

At the same occasion, the PBHI named Hendardi the chairman of its national membership council. Hendardi has chaired the association since its founding in November 1996. -- JP