First Day of 1965 Violence History Symposium,

Obscure the Human Rights Violations Facts

On the first day of National Symposium: Dismantle 1965 Incident as a stage of perpetrators cleansing of that incident. Speech from Coordinator Minister of Politics, Law and Security Luhut Binsar Panjaitan, Agus Widjojo and Sintong Panjaitan did not showing honest recognition by a knight to resolve the issue of gross human rights violations equitably and dignified. Otherwise, the opening of the Symposium specifically strengthening the New Order doctrine which twisting the truth facts. Eventually, this symposium still strengthen discrimination and negative stigma against the victims of human rights violations.

In our monitoring, we collect:

First, Coordinator Minister of Politics, Law and Security Luhut Binsar Panjaitan in his opening speech firmly intimidative gave warning “Government do not want to ask for apology. Government is not that stupid. Is that the concept of a big nation? Do not taking nation’s issue to the international level. We are not willing to be managed by other states.” We disappoint this statement. This premature is too premature, without considering the process that correctly carried by state, which are truth, justice and rehabilitation for 1965 Incident victims. If that is the truth, the Coordinator Minister of Politics, Law and Security statement affirm the National Symposium only a formality.

Second, statement of Agus Widjojo (National Defense Agency Governor) as the chairman of National Symposium Guide which stated that 1965 Massacre were a mass chaotic. Agus Widjojo likely pointing 1965 Incident as horizontal conflict. Agus also wanted to find what is wrong, not who is responsible. This perception deliberately built to deny the state involvement and saving thr perpetrators from law responsibility. This is contradict with his own book The Memo to President which filled about the concept of gross past human rights violations cases completion.

Third, the statement of Sintong Panjaitan twisting facts. With mentioned there were no murders. There was only one person died in Central Java. This statement very different with Sarwo Edi confession which is the Commander of Sintong Panjaitan. Sintong also already blaming the ANSOR youth and Muhammadiyah as perpetrators. Sintong confession that Army Forces Command Regiment (RPKAD) were supported by ANSOR and Muhammadiyah which already trained about the operation tutorial to arrests Communism Party (PKI) members is a refutation from Sintong Panjaitan statement that RPKAD were not involved. Sintong also rejected RPKAD and militia to conduct murders. However, only arresting, as example in Pati of 200 arrests.

Hopefully, the symposium on the second day, will having opennes and understand the practice of political violence which affecting into several human rights violations in 1965/66 and other continuous impacts.

Jakarta, April 18, 2016

KontraS Workers,

Haris Azhar, MA

Executive Coordinator

Contact Person: Feri Kusuma 081291192655