The government’s promises during political campaigns to resolve past human rights abuses is just pandering to the votes of human rights activists. The politicians are strong in promise and rhetoric but poor in realization.
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·3 minutes read
THOMDEAN
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The settlement of past human rights abuses continues to be a burden upon the nation, as it is an issue that still remains unresolved. The government’s promises during political campaigns to resolve past human rights abuses is just pandering to the votes of human rights activists. The politicians are strong in promise and rhetoric but poor in realization.
The 20th anniversary of the reform movement is a reminder for the government to repay the debt. The 1945 Constitution has been amended, the dual function of the Armed Forces (ABRI) has been terminated, regional autonomy has been implemented and corruption eradication has begun, although it has not been thoroughly applied.
Freedom of expression, freedom of the press and freedom of organization came in during the era of President BJ Habibie, even though they face challenges from the fake news industry.
However, action to resolve past human rights abuses still leaves much to be desired. Almost no important action has been taken to investigate past human rights abuses. Even the social and political situation at that time, which served as a backdrop to the reform movement –the kidnapping of political activists, the May 1998 riots, including the Trisakti and Semanggi incidents in Jakarta – remain a grey area.
ANTARA/AKBAR NUGROHO GUMAY
Human rights activists join the 520th Aksi Kamisan on Jan. 4, 2018 at Merdeka Palace, Jakarta. In their action they raised awareness about the Indonesian Military (TNI) going beyond their duties and functions as defenders of national and state sovereignty, and also demanded that the government resolve past cases of human rights violations.
The victims of human rights abuses and their families remain victims while the suspected perpetrators remain untouched. Indeed, they can make use of the democratic stage to take part in the political contest and change their image before the people.
It is a fact that several people are still missing and their whereabouts is still unknown. In human rights terminology, this is called continuing disappearance. It is not known if those missing are dead or alive. Their legal status is unclear. President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo in his Nawacita document expressed his will to resolve various past human rights abuses. “We will respect human rights and resolve human rights abuses in the past fairly.”
However, 3.5 years into their rule, President Jokowi and Vice President Jusuf Kalla have not been able to settle past human rights abuses. Human rights abuses continue to take place among groups in society.
Past human rights abuses remain a historical burden. They will continue to haunt the nation’s journey forward. Indonesia is not as fortunate as South Africa, whose statesmen such as Nelson Mandela and Bishop Desmond Tutu were able to help their nation reconcile with its dark history during the apartheid era. Meanwhile, in Indonesia, politicians only think about power rather than national interest and human rights.
