Thousands rally against US abuses

JAKARTA: Over 1,000 supporters of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) staged a rally at the Proclamation Monument in Central Jakarta on Sunday, condemning the United States' occupation of Iraq.

The protesters said the U.S. rule of Iraq had resulted in the humiliation of their fellow Muslims there, with the abuses perpetrated against Iraqi prisoners in Abu Ghraib prison being a blatant example.

They carried banners reading "Stop the invasion of Iraq", and "U.S.A is the real terrorist", while party leaders and guests speakers delivered speeches condemning the U.S. for what they claimed was its hypocrisy over human rights.

"They claim to be human rights champions, but in fact they are the greatest rights abusers," Crescent Star Party legislator Ahmad Sumargono yelled. -- JP