Komnas HAM, Govt Discuss Solving Past Human Rights Violations

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The head of the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM), Ahmad Taufan Damanik, arrived at the headquarters of the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs today to discuss the process to complete past human rights violations. 

One of the topics discussed with Coordinating Minister Mahfud MD was the reestablishment of the Reconciliation and Truth Commission (KKR) and how to run it effectively. 

“Engaging with victims and victim’s families of human rights violations is critical. The next step is to choose what formula to apply,” said Ahmad following the meeting. 

Ahmad was accompanied by Komnas HAM deputy head Sandrayati Moniaga and commissioner Beka Ulung Hapsara. Both talked about the possibilities of settling past violations via the judicial route. The next meeting, they said, would involve the Attorney General, the Home Affairs Minister, and the Law and Human Rights Minister. 

The next meeting also seeks to dismiss allegations on the absence of coordination between the Komnas HAM and the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) in solving past human rights violations. It is known that  the AGO has repeatedly turned down the files from Komnas HAM on the grounds of incompletion. 

“This is why the Coordinating Minister will invite the AGO to the next meeting. We will focus on finding a solution to avoid polemics,” Ahmad asserted. 

Rumors of the reestablishment of the KKR were mentioned by Mahfud MD not long after he was appointed as coordinating minister in President Jokowi’s second-term cabinet. 

EGI ADYATAMA