Activists see return of dictatorship in Indonesian threats

[dArKeR]

AFP , JAKARTA
Saturday, May 29, 2004,Page 5


Advertising
Indonesian activists said yesterday that official threats to crack down on analysts and human rights workers was a throwback to the Suharto dictatorship era.

Intelligence chief Abdullah Hendropriyono issued a thinly veiled warning Thursday that Sidney Jones, Jakarta-based director of the International Crisis Group (ICG), could face deportation due to her sometimes critical reports.

"Sidney Jones works here to monitor human rights abuses and she made reports published overseas which are not entirely true," Hendropriyono said.

He said action must be taken against "those who are disliked by Indonesians."

"If their activities are not favorable and are detrimental to the Indonesian people, why do we have to let them extend their stay in our country? I think it's only logical," he said.

The intelligence agency says it is gathering more information of Jones and on other non-government organizations whose exposes are considered to damage the country.

Human rights lawyer Todung Mulya Lubis said expelling Jones would only tarnish Indonesia's image overseas.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2004/05/29/2003157405

Bush leads the world into fascism and torture.

[rooboy]

1. An Australian union leader was refused a visa there last week, too. n/t