The suit said in its introduction that, "plaintiffs have been subjected to serious human rights abuses, including genocide, murder, torture, crimes against humanity, sexual violence, and kidnapping..."

Plaintiffs John Doe III, IV, and V did not disclose their respective villages out of fear for their families lives and will only testify under a confidentiality agreement. They ask for "equitable relief" and to keep "future harm from occurring."

Plaintiffs Jane Doe II, III and IV are seeking compensation on behalf of their deceased husbands.

The suit says that the plaintiffs filed in the US because they don't have access to an "independent or functioning legal system" in Indonesia and are afraid to complain to military authorities for fear of retribution. They are accusing ExxonMobil of violating the Alien Tort Claims Act and the Torture Victims Protection Act, international rights law as well as the statutory and common tort law of the District of Columbia.

"While oil companies and the Indonesian government reap enormous profits, the people are suffering at the hands of the very security forces employees by ExxonMobil to protect its assets," Kurt Biddle, Washington Coordinator for the Indonesia Human Rights Network, said.

ExxonMobil, according to the Network, shut down its facilities, citing serious security concerns.

"The allegations in this lawsuit clearly demonstrate why now is not the time for the US to restore ties with the Indonesian military," Biddle said. "The Indonesian National Military are on a brutal campaign of murdering people in Aceh and across the archipelago."