"It is to heal our nation's wounds due to past grave human rights violations that burdened the victims and their families. The wounds should be healed to ensure we can move forward," he said.
President Jokowi made the statement at the Human Rights Violation Non-Judicial Resolution Recommendations Implementation Program launch in Pidie District, Aceh.
As observed via the Presidential Secretariat's YouTube channel, here, Jokowi noted that last January, the government had decided to pursue non-judicial means to address past human rights violations without negating the ongoing judicial process.
The president said he is thankful that the program, focusing on the victims' rights recovery, has finally been realized.
"We are thankful. Praise be to God that we can realize the recovery of rights of the victims of 12 cases of past grave human rights violations," Jokowi remarked.
The government is committed to ensuring that grave human rights violations will not occur in Indonesia in the future, he emphasized.
Jokowi echoed the government's staunch commitment to be earnest in resolving past human rights violations according to recommendations of the Human Rights Violations Non-Judicial Resolution Team (PPHAM).
"For the victims or their descendants, I wish to express gratitude for your great-heartedness to accept the process after your long wait," the president remarked.
On January 11, 2023, the government acknowledged 12 past major human rights violations and expressed commitment to resolving the matter concerning the victims' rights.
The 12 past human rights violations acknowledged by the government are the post-September 30 Movement mass killings in 1965-1966, "Petrus" extrajudicial killings in 1982-1985, Talangsari incident in 1989, Rumoh Geudong and Pos Sattis incident in Aceh in 1989, forced disappearance of activists in 1997-1998, and the 1998 May riots.
Moreover, Trisakti and Semanggi shootings in 1998-1999, the witch hunt and murder of dukuns (black magic practitioners) in 1998-1999, Simpang KKA incident in Aceh in 1999, Wasior incident in Papua in 2001-2002, Wamena incident in Papua in 2003, and Jambo Keupok Aceh incident in 2003 are recognized as human rights violations by the government.
Coordinating Minister of Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Mahfud MD stated that the victims' rights would be fulfilled simultaneously by ministries and government agencies involved in the process.
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Translator: Indra Arief P, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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