TEMPO.CO, Jakarta-The government continues to seek solutions for the unresolved human rights violations in 1965, among other things by holding a national symposium titled “Membedah Tragedi 1965, Pendekatan Sejarah” (Dissecting 1965 Tragedy, Historical Approach) at Araduta Hotel, Jakarta, on April 18-19, 2016. However, a statement from Coordinating Minister of Political, Legal and Security Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan that said “the government will not apologize” has sparked controversy among family members of the victim and human rights activists.
In his speech during the symposium, Luhut addressed the case that happened half a decade ago in response to parties who has demanded apology from the government. “Apologize to whom? Which victim? The government has no intention to apologize to any party whatsoever” Luhut said. However, “We regret for what have transpired at the time. We will also listen to feedbacks in the symposium.”
Head of the Foundation for Research of the Victims of 1965/1966 Killings, Bejo Untung, has expressed his disappointment on Luhut’s statement and said it didn’t meet President Joko Widodo’s expectation, who wants to resolve the case which has affected millions of people. “We are very disappointed with the statement,” he told Tempo yesterday. He expected that after an apology, the government could reveal the truth behind 1965 tragedy.
Chairman of Sekber 65, Winarso, said the government did not need to apologize. “The most important thing is they can be held accountable to fulfill the rights of the victims, such as state recognition of gross human rights violation in 1965-1966” he said, as quoted by Antara news agency. In addition, the government needs to rehabilitate and provide compensations to the victims.
A researcher of the Community Study and Advocacy Institute (Elsam), Wahyudi Djafar, said that Luhut’s statement has made the direction of the resolution of 1965 events unclear. Apology is needed because the events had resulted in casualties. “It needs official recognition from the state,” he said.
Coordinator of The Commission for Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS) Haris Azhar considers that apology could be either mandatory or complimentary. “Having revealed the truth and pointed out the mistake, the state has to apologize,” he said. For instance, he said, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd apoligized after the revelations of the unfortunate plight of the Aborigins.
A member of the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM), Nur Kholis, is not concerned with Luhut’s statement. Komnas HAM will focus on fulfillment of justice for victims. “The government should apologize,” he said.
Chief Executive Committe of the Symposium, Lt. Gen. (ret) Agus Widjojo said that Luhut’s statement was, “a political statement, nothing final yet.” “The government's stance will be decided after we receive [recommendations from] the drafting team on the symposium results,” said the Governor of the National Resilience Institute (Lemhanas).
YOHANES PASKALIS | FRANSISCO ROSARIANS | HUSSEIN ABRI | ABDUL MANAN