Senator Feinstein to Introduce Measure to Condemn Rape of Ethnic Chinese in Indonesia
August 6, 1998

San Francisco, CA -- U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) today announced that she will introduce legislation when the Senate reconvenes in September that will condemn the ethnic violence in Indonesia directed against Indonesians of Chinese descent.

“When the Senate reconvenes in September, I will offer an amendment to the FY 1999 Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill that will make it clear that the United States condemns in no uncertain terms the violence in Indonesia which was targeted against Indonesian Chinese, and especially the reports of systematic rapes of Indonesian Chinese women,” Senator Feinstein said.

According to reports, over 1,200 people were killed and more than 150 women and girls, some as young as 9 years old, were raped as part of what appeared to be a targeted campaign of ethnic violence directed against Indonesians of Chinese descent during the riots this past May.

“I believe that our government must make it clear to the government in Jakarta that such abuses are totally unacceptable, and we must be certain that the Indonesian government works to apprehend and punish those who perpetrated and abetted these crimes, and prevent the recurrence of such actions.”

Senator Feinstein’s amendment would:

•Call for the Indonesian government to conduct a full and swift investigation into these incidents and bring the culprits to justice, and to take action to see that such events never again occur.

•Urge the Indonesian government to take every measure to restore confidence among and protect the security of the Indonesian Chinese community as well as provide just compensation and medical assistance to the victims of the riots.

•Call for the United Nations to work with the Indonesian government and non-governmental organizations to support a full and swift investigation of this situation and make appropriate recommendations.

•Direct the U.S. Secretary of State to provide support and technical assistance to the investigations.

•Require the U.S. Secretary of State to report to Congress on the adequacy of the investigation and measures undertaken by the Indonesian government.

“I have also sent a letter to Secretary Albright calling on her to raise this issue directly in her discussions with the Indonesian government.

“Indonesia today in undergoing a tremendous and wrenching transformation. It is my hope that these cataclysmic changes are opening up the process of democratization and respect for human rights. But the progress that Indonesia has made -- and will, I hope, continue to make -- cannot serve as an excuse for such acts of barbarity as occurred during the May riots.”

Senator Feinstein’s letter to Secretary Madeleine Albright is below.

August 6, 1998

The Honorable Madeleine K. Albright
Secretary of State
U.S. Department of State
2201 C. St., N.W.
Washington, DC 20520

Dear Madam Secretary:

I am writing to express my deep concern about the situation in Indonesia, and the urgent need to address the concerns of the ethnic Chinese community there. Restoring their confidence and sense of security is crucial to the success of Indonesia’s economic and political reforms. There is particular concern -- both in Indonesia and among Chinese-Americans -- about the rapes of Indonesian Chinese women and girls that took place during the rioting of May 13-15, 1998.

According to credible reports, at least 168 cases of rape occurred in Jakarta alone as part of a pattern of political violence targeted against Indonesian Chinese. An investigative report published by Asiaweek on July 24, 1998 describes incidents documented by Rosita Noer, an Indonesian physician and human rights activist. For example: “In three Chinese areas of west Jakarta, between 5 and 8 p.m., dozens of men dragged a hundred or so girls on to the streets, stripped them and forced them to dance before a crowd. Twenty were raped, then some burned alive, says Noer. She examined six other victims attacked in their homes in different areas of Jakarta. The girls were between the ages of 14 and 20; four of them had been raped by seven men.”

I was encouraged by President Habibie’s decision last month to set up a national committee of inquiry to investigate the rapes. I understand that the Indonesian National Commission on Human Rights has urged the government to act, and to apologize to the victims for failing to protect them. Non-governmental organizations are also conducting their own investigations. However, efforts to identify and fully prosecute those responsible can only succeed with the complete cooperation of the Indonesian military and police.

I want to encourage you to continue pressing the Indonesian authorities, in the strongest possible terms, to effectively address this important issue. I respectfully urge you to raise this issue in your discussions with Foreign Minister Alatas during any bilateral meetings you have with him, including at the United Nations when the General Assembly convenes in September.

I have been proud to stand with you to respond to the use of organized, premeditated mass rape to serve political ends in Bosnia and Rwanda. Tragically, it appears this barbaric practice may have reared its head again, this time in Indonesia. I look forward to working with you to respond to this crisis as well.

Sincerely,
Dianne Feinstein
United States Senator