The most well-known cases of enforced disappearances in Indonesia are those involving pro-democracy activists who disappeared from 1997 - 1998. This was the height of the anti-dictatorship movement against General Suharto who ruled Indonesia for 32 years. Many individuals were abducted by the military because of their political activism towards achieving genuine democracy in their country. This movement soon led to the ouster of Suharto and the dawn of a new democratic Indonesia.

Initially, the military abducted 9 students -- they were eventually released thanks to the heavy pressure exerted by the civil society. Up to this day however, there are still 13 missing persons who disappeared during that dark period.

We remember Suyat, Yani Afri, Sonny, M. Yusuf, Noval Alkatiri, Dedy Hamdun, Ismail, Bimo Petrus, Abdun Naser, Hendra Hambali, Ucok Siahaan, Yadin Muhidin and Wiji Thukul. We ask the Indonesian government to take concrete actions to combat impunity and bring justice to all victims of the atrocities perpetrated by the Suharto regime.

International Week of the Disappeared May 27 - 31 | Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances & Indonesian Association of Families of the Disappeared (IKOHI)