Top military attend Timor trial

Human rights activists have little faith in justice

By Richard Galpin BBC Jakarta Correspondent

Top Indonesian army leaders have attended the second sitting of the special human rights tribunal set up to prosecute those responsible for the violence in East Timor three years ago.

Armed forces chief Admiral Widodo and army commander General Endriartono Sutarto watched proceedings in the packed courtroom in Jakarta.

A military spokesman said they were there to give moral support to the military and government officials now standing trial for gross human rights violations committed during East Timor's vote for independence.

At least 1,000 people were killed, the vast majority those in favour of East Timor breaking away from Indonesian rule.

'Systematic attack'

On Tuesday another five military and police officers went on trial accused of gross human rights violations.

They have been charged in connection with the massacre of at least 27 people in the church in the town of Suai in September 1999. Among the dead were 10 women.

The prosecution said the officials had failed to stop their subordinates from carrying out what it called a systematic attack on civilians, which took place shortly after the announcement that the people of East Timor had voted by an overwhelming majority for independence.

The prosecution said the massacre had been carried out by a militia gang which was supported and funded by the local government and military commanders.

But in a clear sign of the attitude of the Indonesian military towards these tribunals, the top national commanders came to the court on Tuesday to observe proceedings.

The military spokesman told journalists their presence was not meant to intimidate the judges.

Many human rights organisations have expressed deep scepticism about whether justice will ever be done, especially as most of the top military commanders implicated in the violence have not even been charged.