President Joko Widodo stated that the Indonesian government acknowledged 12 past major human rights violations after scrutinizing the assessment report of the Human Rights Violation Non-Judicial Resolution Team (PPHAM).
The president’s statements were made after receiving the report from the PPHAM, represented by its chairperson, Coordinating Minister of Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Mahfud MD, at the Merdeka Palace here, Wednesday.
“With a clear mind and a sincere heart, as the Head of State of the Republic of Indonesia, I acknowledge that major human rights violations had occurred in the past,” Jokowi stated.
The head of state expressed regret over several occurrences of human rights violations in national history.
The 12 past human rights violations acknowledged by the government are the post-September 30 Movement mass killings in 1965-1966, “Petrus” extrajudicial killings in 1982-1985, Talangsari incident in 1989, Rumoh Geudong and Pos Sattis incident in Aceh in 1989, forced disappearance of activists in 1997-1998, and 1998 May riots.
Moreover, Trisakti and Semanggi shootings in 1998-1999, the witch hunt and murder of dukuns (black magic practitioners) in 1998-1999, Simpang KKA incident in Aceh in 1999, Wasior incident in Papua in 2001-2002, Wamena incident in Papua in 2003, and Jambo Keupok Aceh incident in 2003 are also recognized as human rights violations by the government.
“I express my utmost sympathy and empathy to victims and their relatives,” the president stated.
Following the acknowledgement, the head of state affirmed that the government is committed to resolving unfulfilled victims’ rights while not negating judicial measures.
“Second, me and the government are sincerely committed to ensuring that major human rights violations will not occur in Indonesia in the future,” Jokowi added.
He also instructed the coordinating minister to take all measures to ensure the fulfillment of victims’ rights and prevent human rights violations in future.
“We hope these measures would be meaningful to heal the wound of the nation to enhance national harmony within the framework of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia,” the president remarked.
Meanwhile, Mahfud clarified that the works of the PPHAM team would not negate any ongoing judicial process.
“This team is not to conclude or redirect judicial resolution to non-judicial one, not at all. Any ongoing judicial process must proceed,” the coordinating minister remarked.
Source: Antara News