The International People’s Tribunal on Indonesia’s 1965 genocide asserts that Indonesia is guilty of crimes against humanity, including the systematic killing of up to 600,000 people. The Tribunal’s findings challenge the narrative of these events as internal affairs, highlighting the complicity of international actors, particularly the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia. The Tribunal’s moral authority fosters renewed discussions about historical accountability and the Indonesian government’s role in addressing past atrocities.
The International People’s Tribunal on Indonesia’s mass violence has significant moral and political implications, as articulated by Saskia E. Wieringa, its chair. On July 20, 2016, a video featuring Judge Zak Yacoob outlining the Tribunal’s findings concerning the 1965 Crimes Against Humanity in Indonesia was broadcast simultaneously in various global cities, including Jakarta and Amsterdam, and made available on the Tribunal’s website.
The original plan involved a live event in Jakarta to present the final statement in the presence of witnesses. However, heightened concerns regarding the Indonesian Army’s campaign against perceived Communism rendered this too perilous. Reports indicate that these sentiments are motivated primarily by the Army and affiliated militias, posing real threats to associated individuals.
The Tribunal identified Indonesia as guilty of committing crimes against humanity, with estimated casualties ranging from 400,000 to 600,000 victims, who were predominantly associated with the Communist Party and former President Sukarno’s supporters. Additional findings included broader human rights violations such as slavery and sexual violence, all of which contravene both international norms and Indonesia’s domestic legislation, including its Human Rights Law No. 26 of 2000.
The Tribunal’s concurrent global launch underscores a decisive shift in the narrative surrounding the mass atrocities committed by the Indonesian military, revealing that such actions are indeed matters of international concern. The Tribunal classified the events as genocide due to the systematic extermination of a national group, necessitating international intervention to prevent recurrence.
While the Western world largely stood by during the killings, evidence indicates various governments were aware of the atrocities, raising questions of complicity. The Tribunal noted that the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia were cognizant of the mass murders and provided support that facilitated the Indonesian military’s actions, including supplying equipment and military intelligence.
Research is underway in several European countries to explore their governments’ potential knowledge of and response to the killings. Although lacking formal power to levy sanctions, the Tribunal’s findings carry profound political and moral weight, suggesting a longstanding moral deficit within the international community, especially regarding the response to the 1965 events.
The IPT 1965 is already influencing discourse in Indonesia. Luhut Panjaitan, Indonesia’s then coordinating Minister for Security, publicly acknowledged the Tribunal’s implications, asserting that Indonesia is equipped with mechanisms to address human rights issues. However, previous recommendations from national commissions have been largely disregarded, indicating a need for genuine accountability.
Minister Panjaitan’s subsequent national symposium led to increased visibility for victims of military violence, intensifying discussions surrounding the Communist Party’s alleged resurgence. This evolution has placed pressure on the Indonesian President to communicate whether he will publicly address the 1965 events in his upcoming national address, particularly since he pledged to engage with these historical truths during his campaign.
Saskia E. Wieringa serves as an honorary professor at the University of Amsterdam and chairs the International People’s Tribunal examining the crimes against humanity committed in Indonesia in 1965. This piece is a collaborative effort between New Mandala and Policy Forum, a prominent platform for policy discourse in Asia and the Pacific.
The International People’s Tribunal on Indonesia’s 1965 genocide exemplifies an important step in confronting historical injustices. Despite its lack of legal authority, its moral and political weight is significant, pressing the Indonesian government and others to acknowledge and address these atrocities. The Tribunal’s findings encourage ongoing scrutiny and dialogue about human rights violations in Indonesia, necessitating a commitment to accountability and reconciliation in addressing the past. Attention is now turned towards Indonesia’s leadership and their willingness to confront these historical events substantively.
Original Source: www.newmandala.org
