TheJakartaPost

Please Update your browser

Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.

Jakarta Post

Dear President, don’t let Indonesia’s dark history repeat itself

Governments can demonstrate their commitment to human rights and the rule of law by admitting past human rights violations and providing victims and the public with accurate and impartial information.      

Usman Hamid (The Jakarta Post)
Premium
Jakarta
Sat, September 30, 2023

Change text size

Gift Premium Articles
to Anyone

Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!
Dear President, don’t let Indonesia’s dark history repeat itself  Portraits of injustice: Members of the Victims Solidarity Network for Justice (JSKK) display the pictures of victims of past human rights violations during a rally outside the State Palace on Sept. 14, 2023. It was the 787th edition of the protest, which is held every Thursday. (Antara/Sigid Kurniawan)

A

t least 500,000 people lost their lives in the 1965 tragedy, an anti-communist crackdown that took place in the aftermath of the aborted Sept. 30, 1965 coup attempt at the height of the Cold War. Widespread systematic killings and mass imprisonment of those who were indiscriminately accused of being members or sympathizers of the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) marked a dark period of state oppression.

On Jan. 11 of this year, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo made a speech that recognized the 1965 tragedy as part of 12 gross human rights violations spanning from 1965 to 2003. Apart from the 1965 tragedy, President Jokowi called attention to the 1998-1999 Jakarta protest shootings that killed 32 people and killings and torture that took place in Wamena, Papua, in 2003.

The presidential acknowledgment followed the recommendations of the Nonjudicial Resolution Team for Past Serious Human Rights Violations led by Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Mahfud MD.

While President Jokowi's acknowledgment is a step in the right direction, words simply do not go far enough to bring about justice, truth and reparation. The authorities must impartially investigate all those suspected of criminal responsibility as a matter of utmost urgency and preserve the historical memory of periods of violence and repression, in accordance with the wishes of victims and their families.

President Jokowi must honor his commitment that such violations “never happen again”.

The 12 gross human rights violations that President Jokowi acknowledged are not part of history lessons. The authorities can help create a culture of accountability and promote human rights by including the violations in the official history and as part of the school curriculum.

Viewpoint

Every Thursday

Whether you're looking to broaden your horizons or stay informed on the latest developments, "Viewpoint" is the perfect source for anyone seeking to engage with the issues that matter most.

By registering, you agree with The Jakarta Post's

Thank You

for signing up our newsletter!

Please check your email for your newsletter subscription.

View More Newsletter

“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it,” said George Santayana, a Spanish-American philosopher, whose words remain a strong reminder that authorities and society must accept their past, to make sure it is not replicated in the future.   

to Read Full Story

  • Unlimited access to our web and app content
  • e-Post daily digital newspaper
  • No advertisements, no interruptions
  • Privileged access to our events and programs
  • Subscription to our newsletters
or

Purchase access to this article for

We accept

TJP - Visa
TJP - Mastercard
TJP - GoPay

Redirecting you to payment page

Pay per article

Dear President, don’t let Indonesia’s dark history repeat itself

Rp 29,000 / article

1
Create your free account
By proceeding, you consent to the revised Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.
Already have an account?

2
  • Palmerat Barat No. 142-143
  • Central Jakarta
  • DKI Jakarta
  • Indonesia
  • 10270
  • +6283816779933
2
Total Rp 29,000

Your Opinion Matters

Share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.

Enter at least 30 characters
0 / 30

Thank You

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.

Share options

Quickly share this news with your network—keep everyone informed with just a single click!

Change text size options

Customize your reading experience by adjusting the text size to small, medium, or large—find what’s most comfortable for you.

Gift Premium Articles
to Anyone

Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!

Generating Questionnaires

Thank You

Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
We appreciate your feedback.