International Tribunal Declares Indonesia Committed Crimes Against Humanity in 1965 Mass Killings

An international panel of judges determined that Indonesia committed crimes against humanity during the 1965-66 mass killings, citing the involvement of the U.S., U.K., and Australia. The tribunal condemned the Indonesian military’s actions as genocidal and called for official apologies and investigations. Indonesia, however, rejected these recommendations, asserting its right to handle the matter internally.

In a significant ruling, an international tribunal concluded that Indonesia perpetrated crimes against humanity during the mass killings from 1965 to 1966. This finding, presented by head judge Zak Yacoob—formerly of the South African Constitutional Court—acknowledged the brutal murder of approximately 400,000 to 500,000 individuals, alongside the imprisonment of around 600,000 others, and numerous human rights violations including torture and forced disappearances. The tribunal emphasized that Indonesian military actions, spurred by the events surrounding the deaths of six army generals in 1965, constituted genocide against the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI), suspected communists, leftists, and ethnic Chinese individuals. Furthermore, the tribunal cited complicity in these crimes by the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. The panel has advocated for the Indonesian government to apologize to victims and investigate the atrocities, yet Indonesia’s government swiftly dismissed these recommendations. Chief Security Minister Luhut Panjaitan stated, “We acknowledge and we will resolve this problem [the 1965 tragedy] in our way and through universal values.” The tribunal’s findings, although not legally binding, mark an acknowledgment of the tragic historical events and a call for accountability from the Indonesian state, in light of over five decades of impunity.

The 1965 Indonesia mass killings, following the assassination of six military generals, led to widespread violence against groups perceived as leftist or associated with communism, particularly targetting the PKI and ethnic Chinese. This period of violent suppression resulted in a significant loss of life and numerous human rights violations. For decades, there has been little formal acknowledgment or accountability for these events, contributing to ongoing trauma among survivors and their families. The recent tribunal aimed to address these historical grievances and push for recognition and reparations.

The Tribunal’s findings establish an important historical record regarding the crimes against humanity committed in Indonesia during the 1965-66 mass killings. It calls for accountability from both the Indonesian government and foreign nations complicit in these atrocities. Despite governmental resistance, the ruling provides much-needed validation to victims and serves as a critical impetus for ongoing discussions surrounding reconciliation and justice for the affected communities.

Original Source: time.com