Yusril Clarifies The 1998 Incident Statement Is Not A Serious Human Rights Violation

Yusril Ihza Mahendra/DOK ANTARA

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration and Correction Yusril Ihza Mahendra clarified his statement that the 1998 incident was not a violation of human rights (HAM) in the polemic category. He felt that what he conveyed was misunderstood.

"Yesterday it was not clear what was asked me whether it was related to the Genocide issue or the ethnic cleansing? If those two points were asked, it didn't happen in 1998," Yusril told reporters at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, Tuesday, October 22.

Yusril ensured that President Prabowo Subianto's future government would follow up on Komnas HAM's recommendations and the government's findings regarding the 1998 riots. "What is our government's attitude in the future, that's something we need to discuss and coordinate together," he said.

"But of course we have a firm belief that this government, the new government under the leadership of Pak Prabowo Subianto, has a firm commitment in implementing law and justice," continued Yusril.

As previously reported, the public highlighted Yusril Ihza Mahendra, who now serves as Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration and Corrections who said the tragedy of the 1998 riots was not a gross violation of human rights. He said, violations of this category mostly occurred during colonialism.

"Heavi human rights violations are genocide, ethnic cleansing has not occurred in recent decades, it may have happened during the colonial period, yes, at the beginning of our 1960s independence war," Yusril told reporters at the State Palace, Jakarta, Monday, October 21.

Meanwhile, in the current period, Yusril said there had been no gross human rights violations. Including, when asked his opinion regarding the 1998 riots.

"No (the 1998 incident did not include gross human rights violations, ted)," he said.

Meanwhile, the government of the 7th President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said there were 12 gross human rights violations based on the report of the Non-Judicial Settlement Team for Past Serious Human Rights Violations. The details are as follows:

1. 1965-19662 incident. Mysterious shooting incident 1982-19853. Talangsari Lampung Incident 19894. Incident of Gudong and Posatis House in Aceh 19895. Incident of Disappearance of People Forces 1997 and 19986. Incident of Riots May 19987. Incident of Trisakti and Semanggi I and II in 1998-19998. Incident of Murder of Dukun Santet 1998-19999. Incident of Simpang KKA in Aceh 199910. Wasion Incident in Papua 2001-200211. Wamena Incident in Papua 200312. Jambo Kapuk Incident in Aceh 2023