Indonesian president apologizes for “gross human rights violations”

In his speech posted online at the Presidential Palace in the capital Jakarta, Indonesian President Widodo said: “As the head of state, I accept with a clear and real mind and conscience that there have been serious violations of the rights humans in many incidents. .” saying.

Expressing his deep regret over the violations in question, Widodo stated that he sympathizes with the victims and their families.

Widodo cited nearly 12 incidents that occurred between 1965 and 2003, apologizing at the state level for “gross human rights violations” at events suppressed by government forces.

After the military coup led by General Suharto seized control of the country in 1965, Indonesia witnessed violent crackdowns, arrests and murders. In 1998, massive demonstrations toppled Suharto’s thirty-year dictatorship, but many students were kidnapped and killed in the process.

According to unconfirmed data, at least 500,000 people died from violence in the 1960s. (BRITISH AUTOMOBILE CLUB)