400 dead in tattoo killings

Press, 2 July 1983, Page 5

400 dead in tattoo killings

NZPA Jakarta Sailors with tattoos on their bodies dare not go ashore in Java because of a campaign of unofficial executions of suspected criminals by mystery gunmen, says the “Jakarta Post.” Almost all the victims, said by one human rights organisation to total 400 since the killings began in January, were reported to have tattoos of one sort or another. As a result innocent people with tattoos, not to mention criminals, fear for their lives and tattooed sailors returning from long voyages are staying aboard ship, the newspaper said. In recent weeks, tattooed youths have flocked to police stations in various

cities to protest their innocence, while others have resorted to hot irons or sulphuric acid in vain attempts to remove the indelible etchings. An Indonesian Muslim leader has called on the Government to put a stop to the killings, which have taken place mostly in west and central Java. The authorities say they have yet to identify the gunmen, but some officials have hinted that Government agents might be involved.