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.
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| 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."
