Joe Pitts: “I stand here today to draw attention to the human rights abuses taking place in Indonesia. As many of my colleagues…”

“I stand here today to draw attention to the human rights abuses taking place in Indonesia. As many of my colleagues know, Indonesia is experiencing tremendous economic and social upheaval. In the ensuing panic, the people and government have tagged the Christian and ethnic Chinese minority as the scapegoats for these societal ills. As a result, massive human rights violations have occurred. Mobs have shut down Christian church services and burned down places of worship. Between February 14 and 17 alone, rioters destroyed the property of 29 churches. Churches gathered to find their musical instruments, benches, bibles, church documents and entire buildings destroyed. Mr. Speaker, the extremists are not the only perpetrators of human rights abuses. Government authorities allegedly participate in the violence and abuses by failing to protect the churches and communities from attackers. By doing nothing in response to these violations, the government implicitly collaborates with extremist groups and builds anti-Christian sentiment. This is outrageous. Mr. Speaker, we should not look the other way while such blatant human rights violations occur in Indonesia. I urge Mr. Mondale to raise these issues during his meetings with Mr. Suharto and the Government of Indonesia to take steps immediately to protect these minorities from abuse.”