Human Rights Watch (HRW) and KontraS [advocacy websites] on Tuesday urged the US to release government files regarding the anti-communist massacres in Indonesia from 1965-1966, which killed half a million individuals. HRW Executive Director Kenneth Roth and KontraS National Coordinator Haris Azhar held a press conference in Jakarta to make the request. Roth stated that a factual and accurate report needs to be made about the past atrocity because a process of truth telling has to happen in order for reconciliation to occur. He stated that remnants of the uprising created the blacklisting of communities and individuals who deserve an apology and compensation from the government. He argues that without the information there would be a general apology devoid of responsibility. Roth believes that there may have been an involvement between the US and killers in Indonesia. He believes the channels of communication will tell the history of 1965 which will constructively contribute to the future Indonesian process of reconciliation. Roth hopes that the release of the information will allow the people of Indonesia to heal and to prevent similar incidents from recurring in the future.

A “people’s tribunal” opened [JURIST report] in November at The Hague to investigate the murder of thousands of alleged communists by Indonesian authorities in 1965. Human rights lawyers have charged Indonesia [AP report] with nine counts, including torture, sexual violence, and murder, for the government’s involvement in the deaths of roughly 500,000 people. The tribunal has no legal authority, but prominent human rights lawyer Todung Mulya Lubis, acting as prosecutor, said “the truth has to be told” about an issue that remains taboo in Indonesia. Non-legally binding verdicts are expected next year.