Singgih Wiryono, Jakarta – Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) working division head Tioria Pretty is urging President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo to settle cases of gross human rights violations through a judicial mechanism.
This was conveyed by Pretty in relation to the kick off of the Implementation of Recommendations on the Non-Judicial Settlement of Gross Human Rights violations in Pidie regency, Aceh, on Tuesday June 27.
Pretty said that Widodo must encourage a judicial resolution of these cases by ordering the Attorney General to follow up on the evidence on gross rights violations that has already been determined by the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM).
"We urge the president to push for the settlement of past gross human rights violations through a judicial mechanism using Law Number 26/2000 [on Human Rights Courts] by ordering the Attorney General to immediately follow up on Komnas HAM's investigation dossiers", said Pretty in a written release on Tuesday.
She also urged the government to stop the intimidation of the victims of rights abuses, especially intimidation by government officials and institutions.
It is hoped that this intimidation will be zero during the implementation of the recommendation of the Team for the Non-Judicial Resolution of Past Gross Human Rights Violations (PPHAM)
Kontras is also asking the government to be serious about resolving these violations thoroughly through a legal process.
"The government [must] fully resolve gross human rights violations thoroughly though a legal process, reveal the truth, the rehabilitation of survivors and the families of victims", said Pretty.
"As well as guaranteeing that gross human rights violations won't be repeated in the future by reforming the security sector comprehensively", she said.
Today, Widodo launched a program to implement the non-judicial settlement of 12 cases of past rights violations that have been acknowledged by the state.
According to Widodo, this non-judicial resolution is aimed at healing the nation's wounds as a consequence of past violations. In addition to this, it will give due attention to the victims and families of victims.
"Today we are gathered together directly as well as virtually in Pidie regency, Aceh province, to heal the nation's wounds as a consequence of past gross human rights violations that have left behind a heavy burden for the victims and the families of victims", he said at the former site of the Geudong House in Pidie.
"Therefore, these wounds must be healed quickly so that we can move forward", said Widodo.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Jokowi Diminta Dorong Penyelesaian Kasus Pelanggaran HAM Berat Secara Yudisial".]
