Apriadi Gunawan, Medan – The unresolved tragedy of 1965 has left at least 1,571 victims displaced and alienated from society.

The Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK) said that the victims had applied for medical assistance, rehabilitation and housing from the agency, but their demands have hardly been met.

LPSK deputy head Hasto Atmojo Suroyo said many victims of gross human rights violations in 1965 had applied to the LPSK for rehabilitation and shelter as most of them are old and have nobody to take care of them.

Hasto added that, as of 2015, 1,571 victims of gross human rights violation cases in 1965 submitted requests to the LPSK and some of those who were seeking medical assistance and rehabilitation have been accommodated.

"In North Sumatra, 42 victims of human rights violation cases in 1965 have filed for their rights, but only Edi's rights have been met," said Hasto.

First Corporal (ret.) Edi Sartimin was the only victim of a gross human rights violation in 1965 in North Sumatra whose rights to life, housing, protection and psychological help have been fulfilled by the agency.

Edi, 80, who lives alone now, was placed by the LPSK into a nursing home in Binjai city, North Sumatra. "I'm grateful to be able to live here. This is my home now," said Edi in an emotional stammer.

Edi expressed his gratitude to the LPSK for helping him stay at the nursing home. Edi claimed he had no one to turn to anymore. He expressed hope he could spend his remaining life there and said he was grateful somebody still cared about helping him meet all his necessities, including health care. "I'm already old and no longer strong enough to work," said Edi.

Hasto, who sent Edi to the nursing home, said the placement of victims of 1965 into nursing homes was aimed at fulfilling their daily needs. He said the LPSK met the rights to life, housing, protection and psychological help of Edi after receiving a recommendation from the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM).

"Edi Sartimin has been declared by Komnas HAM to have been a victim of a gross human rights violation in 1965, so the LPSK fulfilled his rights," Hasto told The Jakarta Post after sending Edi to the nursing home.

Hasto said Edi deserved the assistance from the LPSK because he was living all alone now. Edi was a soldier who served in Medan, North Sumatra, in 1965 with the rank of corporal. Hasto added that at that time Edi, who was accused of being a Sukarno loyalist, became a victim of abuse committed by his fellow soldiers. "The torture experienced by Edi then was recorded and categorized by Komnas HAM as a gross human rights violation," said Hasto.

A North Sumatra provincial council member from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), Sutrisno Pangaribuan, who also accompanied Edi to the nursing home, said the assistance provided to Edi was expected to heal him psychologically and socially so he would be able to carry out his social functions.

"These efforts should be followed up by the North Sumatra provincial administration because there are still many victims of human rights violations in 1965 who need help," said Sutrisno.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/05/21/hundreds-1965-victims-request-protection.html