Alfian, Jakarta – Activists proposed Sunday a model for a truth and reconciliation commission in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam aimed at accommodating the victims' sense of justice.
Senior associate of the International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ) Galuh Wandita said many victims of the Aceh conflict were still disappointed with the implementation of the Helsinki Agreement, signed in August 2005 by the Indonesian government and leaders of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM).
"Many victims feel that the peace process has yet to recognize their suffering," said Galuh.
His conclusion was drawn from the results of a focus group discussion with 113 victims of the Aceh conflict. The research was conducted by ICTJ from June to August in nine districts in Aceh. The study showed that although the victims said that the peace agreement had succeeded, they still wanted an explanation of what had actually happened during the conflict.
"There is a strong desire from the relatives of conflict victims to figure out what happened to their beloved family members during the conflict," Galuh said, while adding that some said they would feel unsafe until human rights criminals were prosecuted.
Galuh and activists from 26 organizations had proposed the model for the commission based on residents' anxieties. "The establishment of such a commission was mandated by the Helsinki Agreement," said Galuh.
She said the commission would not replace a human rights court, but should work hand in hand with the court instead.
The 2007 Truth and Reconciliation Commission Law was nullified by the Constitutional Court in December 2006. However, for Aceh province, the establishment of the commission is mandated by Aceh's administrative law.
Galuh said the Aceh truth commission would have victim's interests as its highest priority. "The commission's structure will consist of a special division which will focus mainly on the victims' problems," she said, adding that it will consult heavily with those affected by the conflict.
Haris Azhar from the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) said Aceh's truth commission, which consists of seven members, should not give amnesty recommendations for persons found responsible for serious human rights crimes.
"We adopt the international law that forbids giving amnesty to perpetrators of serious human rights crimes," Haris said, while adding that the commission's recommendation could be to prosecute human rights violators.
The commission's job is to uncover human rights violations starting from January 1989, when a military emergency status was imposed in Aceh, until August 2005, when the Helsinki agreement was signed, he said. The commission has two years to work in, with the possibility of extending the period.
Haris said the commission's job was not only to address investigations into alleged human rights violations committed by the Indonesian military, but by all involved parties, including the (GAM).
House of Representatives legislator from Aceh Imam Sudja said he supported the idea and that it was urgently needed.
"It is important to eliminate suspicion among the Acehnese people on Jakarta's seriousness (about human rights)," said Imam. "The conflict was 32 years old. There were so many victims... It's important for the truth commission to make sure that the same thing will not happen again in the future."