Press

In a strong statement on the seriousness of crimes committed against ordinary East Timorese, Judge Alan Kay ruled in early September to hold Indonesian General Johny Lumintang accountable for $66 million in damages for his role in systematic human rights violations following East Timor’s vote for independence in 1999.

An Indonesian general has been found guilty in an American court. Is there any resounding impact?

In a case brought by a local legal nonprofit, a U.S. district judge has ordered a high-ranking Indonesian general to pay $66 million in compensatory and punitive damages for massive human rights violations committed in East Timor.

The government will defend Ministry of Defense secretary-general Lt. Gen. Johny Lumintang, who is facing an in-absentia trial in the United States over his alleged role in East Timor rights violations.

Minister of Defense Juwono Sudarsono has expressed his optimism that the United States will resume its military assistance to Indonesia.

Former president B.J. Habibie was naive when he thought that letting go of East Timor would mean an end to Indonesia’s problems.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Alwi Shihab played down on Saturday a lawsuit filed by two U.S. human rights groups against an Indonesian Army general, saying it was an ordinary case in the United States.

Lt. Gen. Johny Lumintang was notified of a lawsuit filed against him by two human rights groups in the United States representing victims of atrocities committed in East Timor last year, a New York-based human rights group said on Friday.