Indonesia: President’s apology for past human rights abuses is ‘a step on a long road to justice’
President Joko Widodo is said to have acknowledged his country’s past “serious human rights violations” and expressed regret over dozens of past incidents, spanning more than 50 years.
These include the 1965-1966 anti-Communist crackdown, the 1982-1985 mass shooting of protesters, forced disappearances in 1997 and 1998, and the Wamena Incident in Papua in 2003.
He said on Wednesday: “I am sorry that those violations happened.
“The President’s gesture is a step forward on the long road to justice for the victims and their loved ones,” said Liz Throssell, Spokesperson for the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, tell journalists at a regular press conference in Geneva.
historical outrage
She said an estimated half a million people were killed in the anti-Communist crackdown in the 1960s, and that many pro-reform protesters were killed in murders in the 1980s.
Violence broke out after communists allegedly killed six generals in a coup attempt amid a power struggle between communists, the military and Muslim groups, according to reports.
Mr. Widodo is believed to be the second Indonesian president to publicly admit to bloodshed in the 1960s, after the late Abdurrahman Wahid’s public apology in 2000.
Move forward
The President’s statement comes as a result of the findings of the Non-Judicial Resolution Group on Serious Human Rights Violations of the Past, which he authorized last year, to fulfill his campaign promise from year 2014.
“We hope the report will be made public to encourage discussion and debate,” Ms. Throssell said.
While noting that the President’s statement “does not prevent further judicial action and is committed to reform to ensure it does not happen again,” OHCHR also called on the authorities to build on the “tangible steps” taken, to “conduct a meaningful, comprehensive and participatory transitional justice process”.
An OHCHR spokesperson said this should include “ensuring truth, justice, reparation and non-repudiation for victims and affected communities, including victims of related sexual violence.” regarding conflict.”
She added that a full transitional judicial process “would help break the decades-long cycle of impunity, promote national healing and strengthen Indonesia’s democracy.”
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