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US group welcomes ruling against Indonesian general
The United States based East Timor Action Network has welcomed a 66-million-US dollar ruling by a judge in Washington against an Indonesian general for human rights abuses.
A representative of ETAN said the judgement, while no substitute for an international tribunal, sends a strong message that the Indonesian military, police, and political leaders responsible for the devastation of East Timor must be held accountable.
Judge Alan Kay ruled last month that General Johny Lumintang planned, ordered and instigated acts to terrorise and displace the East Timorese population around the time of the territory's vote for independence two years ago.
Lumintang, who was second in command of the Indonesian army in August 1999, was ordered to pay 66 million dollars in damages to six plaintiffs.
The lawsuit was brought under the 1991 Torture Victim Protection Act, which gives US courts jurisdiction over claims by citizens involving torture and extra-judicial killing occurring anywhere.
Lumintang failed to answer the charges, and did not appear in court.
5/10/01 10:12:11 | ABC Radio Australia News
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