Govt to Form Joint Task Force on Human Rights Abuses During 1965 Purge: Minister

JakartaGlobe, Eko Prasetyo, October 01, 2016

Chief Security Minister Wiranto, right, said the government will form a joint task force
 to address the gross human rights violations that followed the failed coup of
1965 by the 30 September Movement, or G30S. (Antara Photo/Umarul Faruq)

Jakarta. The government will form a joint task force to address the gross human rights violations that followed the failed coup of 1965 by the 30 September Movement, or G30S.

The task force will be comprised of the Attorney General's Office, National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM), Indonesian Military, National Police, legal experts and public representatives.

The government has held extensive discussions to address various approaches, including to hear public aspirations related to the 1965 anticommunist purge, Chief Security Minister Wiranto said after attending the Pancasila Sanctity Day commemoration in Lubang Buaya, East Jakarta, on Saturday (01/10).

"From the judicial approach, there has been an in-depth investigation on the incident, as it is categorized as part of the principles of clear and present danger by legal standings, which allowed the state to conduct 'salvage' actions related to the danger against national security," Wiranto said.

He added that the adage of abnormaal recht voor abnormale tijden, or emergency action taken during an emergency situation, was legally justified and cannot be judged under current laws.

Komnas HAM and the AGO conducted a case study where they found judicial boundaries, especially those related to evidence beyond reasonable doubt.

"[Investigators] have found difficulties to fulfill the manifestation standards of Law No. 26/2000 on Human Rights Courts," Wiranto said.

As a result, the government directed the resolution of the issue through non-judicial measures based on national interests and unity.

These non-judicial measures will consider certain phrases, including not to blame any parties, not inciting hate or vengeance, as well as justifying the government's decisions by law without causing any long-term negative excess.

Wiranto claimed that the government has been serious in resolving the tragedy by inviting all parties to turn it into a lesson for Indonesia to avoid similar events from occurring in the future.

The government has adopted three main approaches, Wiranto said.

Firstly, there had been differences in political ideology that peaked with the attempted coup and that it led to a massive setback for Indonesia as a country.

"Secondly, the government feels extremely concerned about the victims of the 1965 tragedy, as it has tried to resolve all allegations of gross human rights violations through a fair non-judicial process to avoid long-term excess," the minister said.

Lastly, the government has called on and encouraged all Indonesians to accept the state ideology of Pancasila as the foundation for national reconciliation.

Expert Calls for Independent Fact-Finding Team on 1965 Anticommunist Purge https://t.co/FhviTsyg3Y pic.twitter.com/4vOzZ8e0gw

— The Jakarta Globe (@thejakartaglobe) October 1, 2016