MUI Supports The Settlement Of Cases Of Past Serious Human Rights Violations

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Ulema Council supports the government's steps in resolving cases of serious human rights violations in the past.

"The MUI supports the government's steps in resolving the nation's problems, in this case, human rights violations that have not been resolved for a long time," said MUI Deputy Chairperson Kiai Haji Marsudi Syuhud when receiving a friendly visit from the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD at the MUI building, Jakarta, as reported by ANTARA, Tuesday, November 1.

Through the meeting between Mahfud and the MUI Leadership Council, which includes Kiai Marsudi, Deputy Anwar Abbas, and Secretary General Amirsyah Tambuna, it is hoped that both parties can contribute to the immediate settlement of cases of gross human rights violations in the past which are known to consist of thirteen cases.

Kiai Marsudi also said that the MUI provided input so that the settlement of thirteen cases of past gross human rights violations could be carried out through mutual forgiveness.

"Earlier, there was also input from us, one of which was to forgive each other. Then, we are still discussing how to do that together here," said Marsudi as quoted from an official MUI statement.

On the same occasion, Mahfud said that the settlement of thirteen serious human rights cases in the past would focus on the victims, namely on the subject of recovery, not the perpetrators.

"What is being questioned and seen is the victim, not the perpetrator because if it is the perpetrator, let Komnas HAM look for evidence. Finding the perpetrator is very difficult. We focus on the victim," he said.

Mahfud also said that his visit to meet the MUI Leadership Council was aimed at introducing the Serious Human Rights Violation Settlement Team (PPHAM) through non-judicial channels and discussing the future of resolving gross human rights violations in Indonesia.

He said that the team chaired by Makarim Wibisono consisted of many experienced people. They have seen the practice of resolving gross non-judicial human rights violations in many countries.

Therefore, Mahfud believes that the efforts to form a non-judicial PPHAM team will yield little results compared to the judicial route which has not yet come to an end.

Mahfud said that the resolution of serious human rights cases had been the promise of Indonesian President Joko Widodo since his first term in office. This promise is also in line with the MPR TAP, which later became Law Number 26 of 2000 concerning the Human Rights Court.

Then, the meeting of the two parties also discussed the issue of the KM 50 case or the shooting of FPI members.

Regarding this matter, Kiai Marsudi asked Mahfud whether or not the KM 50 case was classified as a gross violation of human rights.

"Komnas HAM said that (KM 50) should be tried, but it is not a gross violation of human rights. I cannot enter into that process (the authority of Komnas HAM)," said Mahfud.

Mahfud then said that he had called Komnas HAM several times. However, Komnas HAM still said that the incident at KM 50 was not a case of gross human rights violations.

"Komnas HAM said it was not a gross violation of human rights, but a serious crime," said the former Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court.