Other cases named by the organization include the 1996 attack on the PDI headquarters, the 1997-98 forced disappearances, the May 1998 riots, the Trisakti and Semanggi tragedies, and crimes against humanity in Aceh, Timor-Leste, and Papua.

Public debate around Soeharto’s legacy has reemerged several times in recent years. In September 2024, then-MPR Chair Bambang Soesatyo also proposed that Soeharto be considered for the national hero title, sparking mixed reactions from the public and human rights groups.

Minister Prasetyo, responding to criticism, said no human is perfect. “Every individual has flaws,” he said. However, human rights activists argue that state violence and systemic corruption cannot be dismissed as mere imperfections in assessing someone’s legacy. (Uki Ruknuddin)

 

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