10th anniversary of Kamisan silent protest in pictures

Sat, January 21, 2017 / 10:20 pm

+ See SlideShow

/

Activists participate in the 10th anniversary commemoration of the Kamisan silent protest in front of the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Jan. 19. The 477th Kamisan marks the 10th year since the first protest in 2007 asking the government to resolve past human rights violations. JP/Seto Wardhana.
+ See SlideShow

/

Activist Suciwati, widow of human rights activist Munir, embraces Maria Catarina Sumarsih, mother of Benardinus Realino Norma Irawan, or Wawan, a university student who was killed during the Semanggi Tragedy. Behind them is a photo installation made for the 10th commemoration of the Kamisan silent protest on Jan. 19. JP/ Seto Wardhana
+ See SlideShow

/

Policemen stand guard during the 10th commemoration of the Kamisan silent protest in front of the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Jan. 19. The 477th Kamisan marks the 10th year since the first protest in 2007 asking the government to resolve past human rights violations. JP/Seto Wardhana.
+ See SlideShow

/

A photo installation displayed during the 10th commemoration of the Kamisan silent protest in front of the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Jan. 19. The 477th Kamisan marks the 10th year since the first protest in 2007 asking the government to resolve past human rights violations. JP/Seto Wardhana.
+ See SlideShow

/

Musician-cum-activist Melanie Subono sings during the 10th commemoration of the Kamisan silent protest in front of the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Jan. 19. The 477th Kamisan marks the 10th year since the first protest in 2007 asking the government to resolve past human rights violations. JP/Seto Wardhana.
+ See SlideShow

/

Activists stand next to a photo installation during the 10th commemoration of the Kamisan silent protest in front of the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Jan. 19. The 477th Kamisan marks the 10th year since the first protest in 2007 asking the government to resolve past human rights violations. JP/Seto Wardhana.
+ See SlideShow

/

Activists stand next to a photo installation during the 10th commemoration of the Kamisan silent protest in front of the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Jan. 19. The 477th Kamisan marks the 10th year since the first protest in 2007 asking the government to resolve past human rights violations. JP/Seto Wardhana.
+ See SlideShow

/

Jaya Suprana from the Indonesia Record Museum (MURI) hands a plaque to Maria Sumarsih during the 10th commemoration of the Kamisan silent protest in front of the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Jan. 19. The 477th Kamisan marks the 10th year since the first protest in 2007 asking the government to resolve past human rights violations. JP/Seto Wardhana.
+ See SlideShow

/

Activists participate in the 10th commemoration of the Kamisan silent protest in front of the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Jan. 19. The 477th Kamisan marks the 10th year since the first protest in 2007 asking the government to resolve past human rights violations. JP/Seto Wardhana.
+ See SlideShow

/

Activists participate in the 10th commemoration of the Kamisan silent protest in front of the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Jan. 19. The 477th Kamisan marks the 10th year since the first protest in 2007 asking the government to resolve past human rights violations. JP/Seto Wardhana.
+ See SlideShow

/

Participants pray at the end of the Kamisan silent protest in Bandung, West Java, in front of Gedung Sate gubernatorial building on Jan. 19. The 174th Kamisan in Bandung marks the 10th year since the first protest was held in Jakarta in 2007. JP/ Arya Dipa
+ See SlideShow

/

Human rights activists in Malang, East Java, hold a Kamisan silent protest in front of City Hall to mark the 10th year of Kamisan events nationwide on Jan. 19. JP/ Aman Rochman
+ See SlideShow

/

A Human rights activists in Malang, East Java, hold a Kamisan silent protest in front of City Hall to mark the 10th year of Kamisan events nationwide on Jan. 19. JP/Aman Rochman

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Kamisan, a silent protest held by victims of human rights violations every Thursday (Kamis in Indonesian) across from the Presidential Palace. The action calls on the government to end the impunity of perpetrators, but so far it has fallen on the deaf ears of two administrations: former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s and President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s.

The first Kamisan, known for the participants’ largely black attire and black umbrellas, was held on Jan. 18, 2007.

(Read also: Victims of human rights, activists to observe 10th anniversary of Kamisan in 5 cities)

Ever since Jokowi took office more than two years ago, the families of victims and survivors have been hoping he would meet them in person because of his promise to resolve past human rights abuses during his election campaign.

Meeting survivors and their relatives in person will build the courage required to make the political commitment to end ongoing abuses, says Sanata Dharma University lecturer Mutiara Andalas, adding that the government currently lacks this courage and political will. “An encounter with survivors could be a source of political courage for a regime to accept that a state can make mistakes,” Andalas told a discussion about Kamisan in Jakarta on Wednesday.

In 10 years, the Solidarity Network of Victims for Justice (JSKK) has expanded its network and reach and this year the 10th anniversary will be commemorated in five cities. [evi]