Hundreds Urge Govt for Human Rights Violations Resolution in 17-Year Commemoration of Kamisan Act
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18 January 2024 20:58 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Hundreds of people from various backgrounds attended the 17-year commemoration of Kamisan Action in front of the Presidential Palace this afternoon, Jan. 18. Donning black attire, the people demanded the government settle past human rights violations cases.
The Kamisan Action, or Aksi Kamisan, started at around 3 p.m. Jakarta time. Hundreds were standing in silence for 30 minutes in front of President Joko Widodo's office.
Half of them cover their eyes while holding black umbrellas. Those standing at the front were bringing boards with summarized timelines of past human rights tragedies, such as the Tanjung Priok Tragedy in 1989, the May Tragedy in 1998, and the forced disappearances of activists throughout 1997-1998.
Tens of police members guarded the event. While some were managing the traffic, the rest stood in position to keep watch of the Kamisan Action.
The 17-year commemoration of Kamisan Action was participated by several representatives of human rights organizations in Indonesia, such as Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW), ICJR, Amnesty International Indonesia, and the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI).
Families of victims of human rights violations were also present.
After 30 minutes of silent protest, some figureheads reflect and pray in the commemoration of Kamisan Action. One of which was the founder of the Social Movement Institute, Eko Prasetyo.
He alluded to sell-out activists who are cozying up with those in power. He stressed that the people standing in solidarity with Aksi Kamisan will never cross that line.
"The law in this country is akin to a flag, and money is the wind swaying it," he said on Thursday.
NOVALI PANJI NUGROHO
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