Dear Friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information regarding forced dissolution of a peaceful public discussion organized by the Association of Indonesian Students Press (PPMI). The topic of the discussion was Marxism and 1965-1966 Massacre. The security forces, along with vigilante groups, forcibly dispersed the discussion, and intimidated the participants and the resource persons. The security forces, in particular police, failed to perform their duty to protect the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and right to freedom of opinion of those gathered for a peaceful public discussion in Albar Café, Malang, East Java Province.
CASE NARRATIVE:
On September 24, the Dean’s assistant III of the Faculty of Education and Teacher Training (FKIP) UNISMA, Malang, issued a permit to the Association of Indonesian Students Press (PPMI), Malang City. The permit was issued for the holding of a discussion in the room of the Research and People’s Dedication Institute (LPPM), Building B, Second Floor, UNISMA University, Malang.
However, on September 28, the day of the discussion, Safii one of the committee organizers from PPMI was invited to the security post and interrogated regarding the event.
In the afternoon, the Dean’s Assistant III invited Safii to come to the Rector’s Office, and requested the head of LPPM and Secretary General of PPMI to come to the Rector’s Office as well. At 1 p.m. representatives of PPMI, LPPM, and the committee of discussion came to the Rector’s Office. The Dean’s Assistant III as well as the Rector’s Assistant I also attended the meeting.
The result of the meeting was that UNISMA University rejected the permit for PPMI and LPPM to hold a public discussion in UNISMA University. As there was no permit to hold a discussion, the PPMI changed the venue of discussion to one outside the University.
They decided to hold discussion on September 29, at 6 p.m. in Albar Café, Malang City. The committee only invited select participants through Whatsapp and other social media. Resource persons present were Mr. Bedjo Untung, a victim of 1965 massacre as well as the head of the 1965 Murder Victims’ Research Foundation (YPKP 65), and Mr. Roy Murtadho from the Front Nahdliyin (Islamic organization).
The meeting began uneventfully, with the resource persons delivering their points and ideas; however suddenly, one by one, non-uniformed security forces entered the venue of the discussion; they came and forced the committee to stop the discussion about Marxism and the 1965-1966 Massacre. The non-uniformed security forces claimed, without evidence, that the local community did not like the topic of discussion.
As the security forces failed to force the committee to stop the discussion by their presence, two of the personnel yelled and stopped the discussion. The committee then evacuated the resource persons. Suddenly, around seven people wearing Islamic clothes (known as gamis and surban), demanded to the committee that it stop the discussion. Finally, to avoid attack, the committee stopped the discussion at 9:30 p.m. and all participants were forcibly made to leave Albar Café.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Violation of the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of opinion frequently occurrs and remains unpunished. In many cases, in particular due to Communism phobia, security forces frequently disperse movie screenings and discussions about the 1965-1966 massacre. So far, no serious effort has been made by the government to ensure the protection of these rights; moreover the case of 1965-1966 massacre remains unresolved, though the National Commission on Human Rights has issued n investigation report about gross violations of human rights.
SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please write to the authorities listed below, asking them to ensure that serious investigation is conducted to prosecute security forces that are clearly aiding and abetting vigilante groups. Furthermore, rather than aiding and abetting the vigilante groups, the security forces must ensure protection of every citizen so they can enjoy the right to peaceful assembly and the right to freedom of opinion. The government must ensure that the State protects every citizen and prosecutes the offending officers, to establish legal certainty that Indonesia is a state governed by the rule of law.
The AHRC will write a separate letter to the UN Special Rappertour on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, calling for the Rappertour’s intervention into this matter.
To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear ………………..,
INDONESIA: Indonesian security forces and vigilantes forcibly disperse peaceful discussion about 1965-1966 massacre
Name of victims:
1. Members of the Association of Indonesian Students Press (PPMI), Malang City;
2. Mr. Bedjo Untung (1965-1966 massacre victim) and the 1965 Murder Victims’ Research Foundation (YPKP 65)
3. Mr. Roy Murtadho (front Nahdliyin)
Names of alleged perpetrators: Indonesian security forces and vigilante groups
Date of incident: 29 September 2016 to present
Place of incident: Café Albar, Malang City, East Java Province
I am writing to voice my deep concern regarding forced dissolution of a peaceful public discussion organized by the Association of Indonesian Students Press (PPMI). The topic of the discussion was Marxism and 1965-1966 Massacre. The security forces, along with vigilante groups, forcibly dispersed the discussion, and intimidated the participants and the resource persons. The security forces, in particular police, failed to perform their duty to protect the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and right to freedom of opinion of those gathered for a peaceful public discussion in Albar Café, Malang, East Java Province.
On September 24, the Dean’s assistant III of the Faculty of Education and Teacher Training (FKIP) UNISMA, Malang, issued a permit to the Association of Indonesian Students Press (PPMI), Malang City. The permit was issued for the holding of a discussion in the room of the Research and People’s Dedication Institute (LPPM), Building B, Second Floor, UNISMA University, Malang.
However, on September 28, the day of the discussion, Safii one of the committee organizers from PPMI was invited to the security post and interrogated regarding the event.
In the afternoon, the Dean’s Assistant III invited Safii to come to the Rector’s Office, and requested the head of LPPM and Secretary General of PPMI to come to the Rector’s Office as well. At 1 p.m. representatives of PPMI, LPPM, and the committee of discussion came to the Rector’s Office. The Dean’s Assistant III as well as the Rector’s Assistant I also attended the meeting.
The result of the meeting was that UNISMA University rejected the permit for PPMI and LPPM to hold a public discussion in UNISMA University. As there was no permit to hold a discussion, the PPMI changed the venue of discussion to one outside the University.
They decided to hold discussion on September 29, at 6 p.m. in Albar Café, Malang City. The committee only invited select participants through Whatsapp and other social media. Resource persons present were Mr. Bedjo Untung, a victim of 1965 massacre as well as the head of the 1965 Murder Victims’ Research Foundation (YPKP 65), and Mr. Roy Murtadho from the Front Nahdliyin (Islamic organization).
The meeting began uneventfully, with the resource persons delivering their points and ideas; however suddenly, one by one, non-uniformed security forces entered the venue of the discussion; they came and forced the committee to stop the discussion about Marxism and the 1965-1966 Massacre. The non-uniformed security forces claimed, without evidence, that the local community did not like the topic of discussion.
As the security forces failed to force the committee to stop the discussion by their presence, two of the personnel yelled and stopped the discussion. The committee then evacuated the resource persons. Suddenly, around seven people wearing Islamic clothes (known as gamis and surban), demanded to the committee that it stop the discussion. Finally, to avoid attack, the committee stopped the discussion at 9:30 p.m. and all participants were forcibly made to leave Albar Café.
Therefore, I respectfully request you to ensure serious investigation is conducted to prosecute security forces clearly aiding and abetting vigilante groups. Furthermore, rather than aiding and abetting vigilante groups, the security forces must ensure protection of every citizen to enjoy the right to peaceful assembly and the right to freedom of opinion. The government must ensure that the State protects every citizen and prosecutes the offending officers, to establish legal certainty that Indonesia is a state governed by the rule of law.
I look forward to your prompt action in this matter.
Yours Sincerely,
……………….
PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO:
1. Mr. Joko Widodo
President of the Republic of Indonesia
Jl. Veteran No. 16
Jakarta Pusat
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 3458 595
Fax: +62 21 3484 4759
E-mail: webmaster@setneg.go.id
2. Mr. Yasonna Laoly
Minister of Law and Human Rights
Jl. HR Rasuna Said Kav. 6–7
Kuningan, Jakarta 12940
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 525 3006, 525 3889
Fax: +62 21 525 3095
3. Dr. Mualimin Abdi SH., MH
Director General of Human Rights
Office of the Director General of Human Rights
Jl. HR Rasuna Said Kav. 6–7
Kuningan, Jakarta 12940
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 5253006
Fax: +62 21 5253095
4. General Pol. Drs. H.M. Tito Karnavian, M.A., Ph.D
Chief of National Police (KAPOLRI)
Jl. Trunojoyo No. 3 KebayoranBaru, Jakarta Selatan 12110
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 384 8537, 726 0306
Fax: +62 21 7220 669
E-mail: info@polri.go.id
5. Ms. Poengky Indarti
Commissioner of the National Police Commission
Jl. Tirtayasa VII No. 20
KebayoranBaru, Jakarta Selatan
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 739 2315
Fax: +62 21 739 2352
E-mail: secretariat@kompolnas.go.id, skm@kompolnas.go.id
6. Professor. Amzulian Rifai S.H, LL.M, PhD
Chairperson of Ombudsman of Republic of Indonesia
Jl. HR. Rasuna Said Kav. C-19 Kuningan (GedungPengadilan TIPIKOR) Jakarta Selatan
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 52960894/95
Fax: +62 21-52960904/05
7. Dr. H.M. Azis Syamsuddin, SH
Chairperson of the Commission III of The House of Representative
KetuaKomisi III DPR RI
Gedung Nusantara II DPR RI, Lt I
JalanJenderalGatotSubroto, Jakarta,
INDONESIA
Telp : +62 21 -5715566, +62 21-5715569, +62 21-5715864
Fax : +62 21 5715566
8. Mr. Abdul Haris Semendawai
Chairperson of the Agency for Victims and Witness Protection
Lembaga Perlindungan Saksi dan Korban (LPSK)
JL. Proklamasi No 56 Jakarta Pusat 10320
Tel: +62 21 31907021
Fax: +62 21 3190606 / +62 21 31927881
9. M. Imdadun Rahmat
Chairperson of the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM)
Jl. Latuharhary No. 4-B
Jakarta 10310
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 392 5227-30
Fax: +62 21 392 5227
E-mail: info@komnas.go.id
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Program
Asian Human Rights Commission (ua@ahrc.asia)
