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US notes Wiranto's appointment with human rights concerns
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Newly appointed Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Wiranto (right) shakes hands with the newly appointed Coordinating Maritime Affairs Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan in the handover ceremony at the Office of the Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister in Central Jakarta on July 28. (Antara/Wahyu Putro)
T
he US government has recognized the newly inaugurated Cabinet members while highlighting human rights concerns with regard to the appointment of Wiranto as the new coordinating political, legal and security affairs minister.
The US respects the composition of the Cabinet as it is the matter for President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo and Indonesian citizens, US State Department spokesperson Anna Richey-Allen said on Thursday. Still, the US is also aware of the allegations of human rights violations against Wiranto when he served as the commander of Indonesian Military (TNI), formerly ABRI.
She pointed out that promotion and protection of human rights embodied the foundation of US foreign policy.
(Read also : 'Wiranto's appointment bolsters impunity for human rights violators': rights groups)
"We continue to discuss the importance of accountability for past abuses and addressing impunity within the security forces," she said in a press statement received by thejakartapost.com.
Through the statement, Richey-Allen also expressed enthusiasm from the US to continue collaboration with the Indonesian government to enhance strategic partnership and promote shared interests.
Human rights activists have lambasted Jokowi's decision to appoint Hanura Party chairman Wiranto in his Cabinet reshuffle on Wednesday, over his poor human rights track record regarding alleged violations committed during Indonesia's withdrawal from occupied East Timor, now Timor Leste, in 1999. (rin)
