Suharto’s Purge, Indonesia’s Silence
This week marks the 50th anniversary of the beginning of a mass slaughter in Indonesia.
With American support, more than 500,000 people were murdered by the
Indonesian Army and its civilian death squads. At least 750,000 more
were tortured and sent to concentration camps, many for decades.
With American support, more than 500,000 people were murdered by the
Indonesian Army and its civilian death squads. At least 750,000 more
were tortured and sent to concentration camps, many for decades.
The
victims were accused of being “communists,” an umbrella that included
not only members of the legally registered Communist Party, but all
likely opponents of Suharto’s
new military regime — from union members and women’s rights activists
to teachers and the ethnic Chinese. Unlike in Germany, Rwanda or
Cambodia, there have been no trials, no truth-and-reconciliation
commissions, no memorials to the victims. Instead, many perpetrators
still hold power throughout the country.
victims were accused of being “communists,” an umbrella that included
not only members of the legally registered Communist Party, but all
likely opponents of Suharto’s
new military regime — from union members and women’s rights activists
to teachers and the ethnic Chinese. Unlike in Germany, Rwanda or
Cambodia, there have been no trials, no truth-and-reconciliation
commissions, no memorials to the victims. Instead, many perpetrators
still hold power throughout the country.
