This proposal has raised concerns among human rights organizations, who believe it serves to protect the perpetrators from facing justice. They argue that the absence of a commitment to addressing past human rights violations in the government’s agenda only reinforces this perception.

The coalition insists that reconciliation is not a replacement for a judicial process and must be based on structural reforms that ensure justice for the victims. This includes the transparent disclosure of facts, the identification of perpetrators, and the acknowledgment of the victims’ suffering. Without truth and transparency, any attempts at reconciliation will only further obscure the reality of what happened.

The human rights organizations stress the importance of revealing the truth to prevent historical manipulation and to support the victims’ recovery. Only by fully uncovering the events can the victims and their families understand what really occurred.

As part of the 36th anniversary commemoration of the Talangsari Tragedy, KontraS, Paguyuban Keluarga Korban Talangsari Lampung, Amnesty International Indonesia, and Asia Justice and Rights have called on the Attorney General’s office to act on the findings of Komnas HAM’s 2008 investigation. They demand that the case be moved forward into the investigation and prosecution stages.

Furthermore, the coalition urges Komnas HAM to enhance cooperation with the Attorney General’s office to secure crucial evidence, and calls on the government to ensure that the victims’ rights to truth and reparation are fulfilled, including through proper memorialization of the Talangsari Tragedy.

Meanwhile, Rakyat News, which sought a response from the government, particularly the Ministry of Human Rights, did not receive a reply by the time this article was published. Phone calls to Deputy Minister of Human Rights Mugiyanto Sipin went unanswered. (Uki Ruknuddin)

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