Indonesian President Joko Widodo admitted Wednesday that the country’s security forces have committed «serious human rights violations» throughout history and called for reparations for the victims and the restoration of their rights.
«With a clear mind, as head of state of Indonesia, I admit that there have been serious violations of human rights and I deeply regret these events,» he said after receiving a report made by a team created with the aim of addressing the historical memory of the country.
In this regard, he recalled at least a dozen events dating back to the 1960s, ranging from the abuses perpetrated under the regime of former President Suharto to the violence perpetrated by the army against the indigenous populations of the province of Papua, according to information from the Kompas television channel.
«I have great sympathy for the victims and their families. That is why the government and I are trying to restore and repair their memory in a fair way, without denying the judicial processes,» he said.
The remarks by the Indonesian president, also known as Jokowi, mark a shift in the government’s stance from previous administrations as victims face slow judicial processes to bring their cases forward.
«I am committed to ensuring that these kinds of violations never happen again,» he said, before stating that the government «is taking steps to fulfill this promise.»
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
