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Jokowi to begin rights settlement program amid criticism
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Human rights activists hold a rally in front of the State Palace in Jakarta, demanding justice for past human rights abuses in this undated photo. (The Jakarta Post/Dhoni Setiawan)
P
resident Joko “Jokowi” Widodo will kick off the government’s efforts to settle past human rights abuses through non-judicial means at Rumoh Geudong in Pidie, Aceh, on Tuesday.
The historic site, which was used by the Indonesian Military (TNI) to torture civilians during the Aceh conflict, had served as a reminder of the past atrocities committed by Jakarta.
But the structure that occupied the site was demolished just a few days before the President’s visit, apparently without consulting the victims or their families, triggering a chorus of condemnation from human rights activists.
Earlier this year, President Jokowi expressed regret on behalf of the state for the country’s past human rights abuses, recognizing 12 such cases and promising to provide restitution to the victims, including those who suffered from the abuses committed at Rumoh Geudong, which served as the headquarters of the Army’s Special Forces (Kopassus) during their military operations in Aceh. For nine years, from 1989 to 1998, the house was used as a venue for the torture of civilians accused of being affiliated with the Free Aceh Movement (GAM).
In 1998, the original building was destroyed by locals out of fear that Rumoh Geudong would be used as a slaughterhouse again. They left only two walls, a staircase and two wells.
Read also: President Jokowi to start apology tour for past atrocities
The Pidie administration tore down the two remaining walls in preparation for Tuesday’s event. Acting Pidie regent Wahyudi Adisiswanto said the administration did not want the next generation to be saddened by reminders of the past.
