Amnesty International Urges Suharto's Name To Be Revoked From The List Of Candidates For National Heroes

Executive Director of Amnesty International Indonesia Usman Hamid/DOK ANTARA

Amnesty International Indonesia strongly rejects the proposal to award the title of national hero to the 2nd President of the Republic of Indonesia Soeharto. Amnesty views this step as a form of betrayal against the spirit of reform and neglect of the suffering of victims of human rights violations during the New Order.

Amnesty International Indonesia Executive Director Usman Hamid assessed that efforts to appoint Suharto as a national hero were actions that were contrary to the democratic values fought for since 1998.

"Efforts to make Suharto a national hero are the greatest form of betrayal at the mandate of the people since 1998. If this proposal continues, reform has the potential to end in the hands of the Prabowo government," said Usman in his statement, Thursday, October 23.

Usman reminded that Suharto's fall two decades ago became the birthplace of a reform era that opened up space for political freedom and human rights enforcement in Indonesia.

"Suharto fell as a result of public protests that gave birth to reforms. Therefore, conferring Suharto, the title of national hero can be seen as the end of reform itself," he said.

According to Usman, the proposal from the Ministry of Social Affairs is a systematic step to cover the dark track record of the New Order regime which is full of corrupt practices, collusion, nepotism, and human rights violations.

"The proposal of the Ministry of Social Affairs is clearly seen as a systematic effort to wash the sins of Suharto's authoritarian regime which is rampant in corruption, collusion, and nepotism as well as human rights violations (HAM)," said Usman.

During his 32 years in power, according to Usman, Suharto ran an authoritarian government that silenced criticism and normalized violence against his people.

"Proposing Suharto as a hero means ignoring the suffering of the victims and their families who have yet to get justice," he said.

Amnesty highlighted various incidents of gross human rights violations that occurred under Suharto's rule. Among them were the 1965 '1966 mass massacre, the 1982 '1985 mysterious shooting (Petrus), the 1984 Tanjung Priok tragedy, the 1989 Talangsari, and violence in Aceh, East Timor, and Papua. This includes cases of forced disappearance of activists ahead of their fall in 1997 '1998.

"The state has recognized these events as gross human rights violations, either through the MPR's Decree at the beginning of the reformation or President Joko Widodo's official statement in January 2023. However, until now, none of the main actors, including Suharto, have been held accountable," said Usman.

He emphasized that the government should focus on resolving the law and recovering victims of past human rights violations, not giving awards to people who are considered responsible for these crimes.

"The government should prioritize judicial and non-judicial settlements for past gross human rights violations, instead of giving awards to the perpetrators responsible for these cases," said Usman.

"We condemn and reject Suharto's proposal as a hero. The government must remove Suharto from the list of names proposed to get the title of national hero. Suharto is not worthy of being on that list, let alone being given the title of hero. Stop trying to reverse this history," he added.

Previously, Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf handed over 40 names of candidates for national heroes to the Minister of Culture as well as Chairman of the Council for Titles, Services, and Honorary Signs (GTK) Fadli Zon, at the Ministry of Agriculture Culture, Tuesday (21/10). This list is a follow-up to the study of the research team and the study of the central level (TP2GP).

"The proposal came from the community, continued the regent/mayor, was ratified by the governor, and then studied by the team," said Social Minister Saifullah. The team chaired by Dr. Usep Abdul Matin Among them consisted of Prof. FX Muji Sutrisno and Dr. Bondan Kanumoyoso . stated that 40 names met the requirements. Some of them: President Suharto, President Abdurrahman Wahid, Marsinah, KH Kholil Bangkalan, and KH Bisri Sansuri. A number of names have been discussed in the last 5' 7 years.

According to Saifullah, some names have been studied since five to seven years ago. "All the names we submitted this year are considered historically viable and services. We leave them to the Council for discussion and decision," he said.