TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Asvi Warman Adam, historian and founder of the Indonesian Science Institution said that President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo must take responsibility and apologize to victims of the 1965 incident. The statement was made to counter a recent statement made by Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan. Luhut claimed that the government will not make any apology in relation to the incident.
"Jokowi must resolve burdens of the past," Asvi said in a symposium on the 1965-1966 incident at Aryaduta Hotel in Jakarta on Monday, April 18, 2016.
Asvi asserted that Jokowi must reconcile with the 1965 massacre victims because the incident clearly involves human rights violation. For example, Asvi stated that after the 1965 incident, the government deliberately arrested around 10,000 people who have no connection in the September 30, 1965 movement in Buru Island.
In addition, Arvi said that the government had implemented discriminative policies, such as mandating former political prisoners to include their status in their ID card, imposing ban from occupying government related positions, and revocation of citizenship. “These are apparent violations that can be brought to human rights court,” Asvi said.
Previously, Minister Luhut stated that the government will not extend its apology for past human rights violation, including the 1965 massacre. Luhut argued that the government has no certain historical facts related to the incident.
"The process is not easy, but the government is aware that human rights issues must be resolved," Luhut said.
FRANSISCO ROSARIANS
