Human rights still elusive in Indonesia

On Monday evening, International Human Rights Day, I attended a seminar to discuss responses in Indonesia to the Indonesian Commission for Human Rights (Komnas HAM) report, issued in July this year, into the 1965/66 mass killings, imprisonments and persecution of suspected communists following the failed 'coup attempt' of 30 September 1965. The report is ground-breaking in that it is the first time an Indonesian government body has admitted that gross human rights violations took place at this time, and points the finger of responsibility squarely at the military and its various agents.

Whilst the report and its wide-ranging recommendations look set to fall victim to lack of political will, still, to face this bloody history, as Indonesianist Ron Hatley told us, "It is now written. It can never be taken back. It is now believable." The focus of discussion turned to the potential for a national Truth and Reconciliation process in Indonesia. Again, politically there are only precedents for failure on this issue and it is far from the minds of present-day politicians and presidential wannabes. Moreover, whilst there was considerable hope some months ago of a Presidential apology to the victims of 1965/66, as Vannessa Hearman told us, this is quickly fading as the issue loses public and political traction.

Taring Padi, 2002

Another of the speakers, Richard Chauvel, reminded us of the importance of this document and its findings for the ongoing struggle in Papua, where the Indonesian military's "institutionalised culture of violence" remains and is seen in the form of extra-judicial executions, kidnapping and torture of independence activists in that restive province. "Is it possible", Richard asked, "for a national truth and reconciliation process to go forward when violence such as this by agents of the state, is still being carried out in Papua?"

A recent article by Frank Brennan SJ is a timely critique of the Papuan case, particularly when viewed from Australia and its foreign policy. His is an important comparison between Australia's position on the Timorese independence struggle and the ongoing struggle in Papua today, arguing that Australia has a role to play in encouraging dialogue between the government of Indonesia and the Papuans. His closing words are a potent reminder for all concerned with human rights initiatives in Indonesia into the future, "Now is the time for such a stand because Yudhoyono will leave office in two years. His successor might not be open to the same path."

The questions of children

Lately I've been involved with an interesting online magazine, Live Encounters edited by Mark Ulyseas based in Bali. Mark invited me to write the Guest Editorial for the December 2012 issue (Vol 2) with the brief that I write from the perspective of 'woman, mother, writer' on a topic related to peace in some way. It was a challenging brief - I'd never written from this perspective before - and it made me think differently about my work and its impacts. Mark also interviewed me a few months ago about my biography of Herb Feith.

Keating calls for closer ties with Indonesia

Paul Keating was back in fine form in Melbourne last night, calling for Australia to wake up to the reality of a growing and dynamic Indonesia: "No country is more important to us".


You can watch some of his speech here:

http://media.theage.com.au/news/national-times/keating-slams-the-governments-priorities-3796566.html

and read more in The SMH and The Age today and online:

http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/forget-the-west-our-future-is-to-the-north-20121114-29cg4.html

Knowing Indonesia

I recently published the edited book, Knowing Indonesia: Intersections of self, discipline and nation (Monash University Publishing: Clayton. Vic. 2012. It is an edited collection of chapters by Indonesianists from many different disciplinary backgrounds. I asked them to reflect on their field, their personal approach to their work and on the future of Indonesian studies. The result is a timely response to the challenges facing Australia, but also the developed world more generally, as we engage with this dynamic and rapidly growing region.

This is my third book, and follows closely from my biography of Herb Feith (From Vienna to Yogyakarta: The life of Herb Feith: UNSW Press, Sydney) published in 2011. 

For reviews about this book see Australian Book Review, Sydney Morning Herald, and Inside Indonesia. I was interviewed on Radio National program, Late Night Live, together with Herb Feith Foundation Board Member and Executive Manager of International Services at Australian Volunteers International, Peter Britton; and  on Radio Australia's Connect Asia program. 

From Vienna to Yogyakarta was launched in Dili, Timor Leste on 30 June 2011 by Pat Walsh and in Canberra at Parliament House on 6 July by Andrew Leigh MP. In Melbourne on 2 August 2011, H.E. Kirsty Sword Gusmao launched the book before a crowd of around 250 people. The book was also launched in Jakarta on 5 October 2011 at an event hosted by the Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, H.E. Greg Moriarty.