[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 119 (Thursday, September 10, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H7499]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 URGING INDONESIAN GOVERNMENT TO INVESTIGATE CRIMES AGAINST MINORITIES

  (Mr. PITTS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PITTS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express concern for the 
victims of the rapes and riots in Indonesia, and to stand with those 
victims, the Chinese ethnic community, the Christian, and the other 
religious minority communities.
  Yesterday I was briefed by Indonesians themselves on what is 
happening in their country. In the last 3 months, 15 churches have been 
destroyed or burned since Habibie has been in power. I want to join 
with those Indonesians and the Chinese people worldwide in condemning 
these gross violations of human rights, in particular, the raping of 
ethnic Chinese women.
  Reliable reports suggest that the attacks on ethnic and religious 
minorities were orchestrated. Unfortunately, individuals and 
organizations which are assisting these victims have been harassed, 
threatened with phone calls, explosives, and even death should they 
continue to help the victims.
  Madam Speaker, I urge the Indonesian government immediately to 
proceed with a thorough investigation to promptly bring to justice all 
individuals who are associated with or who are perpetrators of these 
crimes against minorities.

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