Release from the ICC (International Christian Concern)
Indonesian Christians Executed
(September 21, 2006)
The Washington-DC based human rights group, International Christian Concern (ICC)
www.persecution.org has just become informed that the three Christian men facing
the death penalty in Indonesia have been executed by firing squad. The men were
executed just after midnight on Friday, September 22, 2006, Indonesia time.
“Justice has once again been denied Indonesia’s Christians,” said Jeremy Sewall,
ICC Policy Analyst. “I am deeply saddened at this news, and ask all concerned
Christians to pray for the families of these men. This is a tragedy. This is not
justice.”
After their execution was stayed last month by the Attorney General for Central
Sulawesi, Mohammad Yahya Sibe, he was suddenly replaced. He was the one who had
to give the order for the executions to proceed. The Chief of Police was also
suddenly replaced and sent to another department. The appeal for these men that
should have lasted months or even a year to process was denied within weeks.
Tibo, Riwu, and Da Silva, all Christian, were the only men charged in the Poso
conflict, even though the conflict started in 1998 and went till 2003. This is a
glaring injustice and hints of a massive coverup by the Indonesian government.
ICC has personally investigated the Poso conflict. Entire Christian villages
were attacked with government munitions and burned down using Indonesian
government fuel trucks. Christian adults and children were beheaded. The Muslim
community initiated the attacks and there was every indication that local Muslim
government leaders were involved. Why were no Muslims ever charged in any of the
attacks?
“These men were sacrificed as scape-goats so that the Indonesian government
could wash their hands and walk away from the Poso conflict of 1998 to 2003. But
if Indonesia really wants to show the world they value truth, they should
re-open the investigation into this conflict and find all those responsible for
the violence,” stated Sewall.
“Please pray that the Christians in Poso will not seek revenge for these
executions, and that instead they would trust God to administer justice in his
own time.”
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ICC is a Washington-DC based human rights organization that exists to help
persecuted Christians worldwide. ICC delivers humanitarian aid, trains and
supports persecuted pastors, raises awareness in the US regarding the problem of
persecution, and is an advocate for the persecuted on Capitol Hill and the State
Department. For additional information or for an interview, contact ICC at
800-422-5441.
ICC (International Christian Concern) aweb address
www.persecution.org.
Contact Jeff King President, 301-989-1708, icc@persecution.org
(September 21, 2006)