TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The passage of a truth commission bylaw (qanun) in Aceh province in December 2013 is a historic step towards addressing impunity for past human rights abuses committed during the Aceh conflict. The organization calls on the central government to extend full support for the establishment of such a commission in line with international law and standards to ensure truth, justice and reparation for victims of the conflict and their families.

On 27 December 2013, after eight years of campaigning by human rights groups and victim organizations, as well as significant efforts by Acehnese parliamentarians, the Aceh House of People’s Representatives passed the Aceh Truth and Reconciliation bylaw. The bylaw has now been submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs for approval before it comes into force.

The setting-up of such a commission had been included in the 2005 Helsinki Peace Agreement and 2006 Law on Governing Aceh (No. 11/2006). However the lack of political will as well as the failure by the central government to enact a new national truth commission law, after it was struck down by the Constitutional Court in 2006, delayed its formation for years.

The establishment of truth commissions is an important step towards understanding the circumstances that led to past violations, learning from the past to ensure that such crimes will not be committed again, and ensuring that shared experiences are acknowledged and preserved. During visits to Aceh in 2012 and 2013, Amnesty International met victims from many districts in Aceh who continue to demand to know the truth about the violations they suffered. Amnesty International also met family members, particularly of those who were killed or disappeared, who want to establish the fate and whereabouts of their loved ones.

The organization also calls on the central government to pass a national truth and reconciliation law so that victims of other past human rights violations such as during the events of 1965 to 1966, the 1998 May riots, and the conflicts in Papua and Timor-Leste (formerly East Timor) can seek truth, justice and reparation.

Addressing these past crimes would not only contribute to healing the open wounds of the civilian population, it would also help strengthen the rule of law in the country which can help secure the peace process in the long-term.

Amnesty International welcomes provisions in the Aceh truth commission bylaw to guarantee the independence of the Commission and to provide it with a clear mandate to establish the truth about human rights abuses and to recommend comprehensive measures to ensure reparation for the victims. (*)