Complete Statement Of The President Regarding Recognition Of Human Rights Violations, Jokowi: I Really Regret It

Photo: BPMI Setpres/Muchlis Jr

JAKARTA - The government has officially acknowledged that there have been gross human rights violations in the past. President Jokowi admitted that he was very sorry for the 12 dark incidents.

This was conveyed by President Jokowi after receiving a report from the past Non-Judicial Human Rights Violation Settlement Team (PPHAM) represented by the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam) Mahfud MD at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Wednesday, January 11.

The following is President Jokowi's full statement regarding the government's recognition of gross human rights violations.

"Ladies and gentlemen and their homeland, I have read carefully the reports from the Non-Judicial Settlement Team for Violation of Serious Human Rights," which was formed based on Presidential Decree No. 17 of 2022.

With a clear mind and a sincere heart, I as the Head of State of the Republic of Indonesia admit that serious human rights violations have indeed occurred in various events. And, I deeply regret the occurrence of violent human rights abuses on:

1. 1965-1966; 2. Shooting Incident 1982-1985;3. Talangsari Incident, Lampung 1989;4. Rumoh Geudong Incident and Sattis Post in Aceh 1989;6. Incident of Forced Elimination of People in 1997-1998;7. Incident of riots May 1998;8. Incident of Trisakti and Semanggi 1 and 2, 1998 and 1999;9. Incident of Murder of Dukun Santet 1998-1999;10. Incident of Simpang KKA in Aceh 1999;11. Wasior Incident in Papua 2001-2002;12.Wamena Incident, Papua in 2003; and 13. Jambo Keupok event in Aceh in 2003.

I have deep sympathy and empathy for the victims and the families of the victims. Therefore, firstly, the government and I seek to restore the rights of the victims fairly and wisely, without negating a judicial settlement.

Second, the government and I are trying to be serious so that serious human rights violations will not happen again in Indonesia in the future. And, I ask the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam) to oversee concrete efforts by the government so that these two things can be carried out properly.

Hopefully this effort will be a meaningful step for the recovery of the wounds of fellow nation's children, in order to strengthen our national harmony in the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia.

"I think that's what I want to say."Wassalamu "alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.