Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – Executive Director of Amnesty International Indonesia, Usman Hamid, criticized the statement of Coordinating Minister for Legal Affairs, Human Rights, Immigration, and Law, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, regarding the 1998 case. The Minister of the Red and White Cabinet mentioned that the 98 tragedy does not fall under the category of serious human rights violations.
According to Usman, that statement is inaccurate, both historically and legally. In addition, the comment also shows a lack of empathy towards the victims and those urging the state to uphold the law.
"It is not appropriate for government officials to make incorrect statements about human rights," he said when contacted on Monday, October 21, 2024.
He said that statements coming from state officials do not reflect a correct understanding of the law. Moreover, Yusril is a minister in charge of legislation in the field of human rights.
"This is a signal of a new government that blurs the state's responsibility, especially in resolving past serious human rights violation cases," he said.
Usman said that the authority to determine whether a violation of serious human rights has occurred or not is not in the hands of the president or ministers. According to him, that authority lies in the Human Rights Court.
"The statement also disregards official fact-finding reports and pro-justice investigations by the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM)," he said.
However, according to Usman, investigations by Komnas HAM have concluded that several 1998 tragedies constitute serious human rights violations in the form of crimes against humanity. The results of the investigation by Komnas HAM have been submitted to the Attorney General.
Komnas HAM has responded to the statement of Coordinating Minister for Legal Affairs, Human Rights, Immigration, and Law Yusril Ihza Mahendra regarding the 1998 tragedy. Komnas HAM Commissioner Anis Hidayah stated that their institution has conducted pro-justice investigations into several tragedies in 1998.
Among them are incidents of forced disappearances in 1997-1998, the May 1998 riots, and the Trisakti and Semanggi 1-2 incidents in 1998-1999.
"Komnas HAM found the occurrence of murder, forced disappearances, deprivation of liberty, and physical freedom," she said when contacted on Monday, October 21, 2024.
She revealed that the completed investigation results since 2002 had reached a conclusion. Komnas HAM, she said, found the occurrence of humanitarian tragedies, thus categorizing it as a serious human rights violation.