Message from human rights victims embedded in NGO’s regards to Indonesia’s President
17 April 2008 2:58 am

A “Send our regards to Mr. President” message from The Commission for Disappearances and Victims of Violence (KontraS), a FORUM-ASIA member in Indonesia, delivered at the NGO’s 10th anniversary celebrations, was designed to highlight the Indonesian government’s inaction on human rights violations and to send a clear message from victims and their families.

“Send our regards to Mr. President.” That was the message from the master of ceremonies at the 10th anniversary of The Commission for Disappearances and Victims of Violence (KontraS), a FORUM-ASIA member in Indonesia, on 26 March. The message was spoken after Andi Mallarangeng, spokesperson of Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudoyono, delivered a speech and congratulated KontraS.
 
At first glance, this message does not sound like anything special. But it has a broader meaning if we relate it to the responsibility of the government to deal with a number of human rights violations in Indonesia as soon as possible. Sending regards to “Mr. President” also means sending a message from the victims and their families that are asking for their destinies to be accounted for.
 
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