Human Rights Day was marked by public skepticism about the government\'s will and ability to resolve past cases of gross human rights violations
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JAKARTA, KOMPAS — Human Rights Day was marked by public skepticism about the government\'s will and ability to resolve past cases of gross human rights violations, with civil society groups responding critically to the government\'s plan to draft the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (KKR) Law.Public skepticism was revealed in the Kompas Research and Development poll on 4-5 Dec. 2019, which involved 512 respondents in 17 major cities in Indonesia. As many as 61.1 percent of respondents said they were uncertain that the government would be able to fully resolve gross human rights violations of the past like the May 1998 riots and the Semanggi I and II incidents.
Regarding the settlement of past cases of gross human rights violations, Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Mahfud MD said that the government planned to propose a KKR Bill for the National Legislation Program 2020. "We have prepared a draft law. It will be ratified in the near future, hopefully this year," he said in Bandung on Tuesday (10/12/2019), after commemorating Human Rights Day.
A similar law, Law No. 27/2004, was previously drafted, but it was annulled in its entirety under Constitutional Court Decision No. 006/PUU-IV/2006.
Mahfud said that the past violations of human rights were difficult to resolve because the parties involved had opposing opinions. The difference in choices was a consequence of the democratic system.
Legal process
National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) commissioner Choirul Anam deemed that the KKR narrative was incorrect, and that a court of law was still the best means of resolving past cases of gross human rights violations. Working Body coordinator Yati Andriyani of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence pointed out that settling cases through the KKR would not lead to reconciliation without undergoing legal court proceedings.
"The KKR has three principles, namely disclosing and recognizing truth, ensuring justice for victims, and restoring victims\' rights," she said.
Meanwhile, Setara Institute executive director Ismail Hasani said that the government should conduct a fact-finding mission so as to avoid becoming trapped in judicial or non-judicial procedures. (REK/RTG/JAL/IAN/EDN)