|
|
|
Seven
years after May 1998 Tragedy - A cry for Justice remains
unattended
By: Elisabeth Sulistio
On May 14, 2005, CCEVI (Canadians Concerned about Ethnic
Violence in Indonesia) held the seventh year anniversary
of one of the bleakest violence to humanity in Indonesia.
This tragedy has been known around the world as May 1998
riots. (see photo on page 40)
Background
Seven years ago May 1998 riots took unprecedented casualties:
2,244 deaths, 91 injured and 31 missing, including 152 Chinese
Indonesian women and children who were the victims of gang
rape and other sexual assaults. The terror during May 13-15,
1998 was highly systematic and organized, and was not just
spontaneous action of mobs. It was large in scale and had
again robbed the multiethnic and multi-faith society of
its basic trust to humanity. CCEVI that was formed by a
group of individuals and organizations in the wake of this
tragedy will again hold a Multi-faith Memorial Service to
express our grief and struggle to end human rights violation
and discrimination, and to hope for justice for the victims
of this tragedy.
CCEVI is aware that there are improvements in cultural rights
of Chinese Indonesians. However, Chinese Indonesians still
do not have equally important civil and political rights.
One example is the SBKRI (the Republic of Indonesia Citizenship
Certificate). In practice this regulation is specific to
Chinese Indonesians. They have to apply for this certificate
and so are subjected to inconveniences and extortions. The
SBKRI is required, if Chinese Indonesians want to obtain
documents, such as ID cards, passports and birth certificates.
Chinese-Indonesian students are still required to submit
the SBKRI when enrolling at certain universities, particularly
state universities. The government has revoked some of the
discriminatory regulations since 1996. However, the SBKRI
and around 60 discriminatory laws and decrees of the People's
Consultative Assembly (MPR) targeting Chinese Indonesians
are still in existence.
Since 2004 CCEVI has joined CAGI (Canadians Advocacy Group
on Indonesia)-an ad hoc coalition of major Canadian civil
society and aid organizations-and has actively participated
in collaborating on policy, advocacy and lobbying work for
human rights, justice and democracy in Indonesia.
CCEVI keeps on monitoring the progress of human rights practice,
it remains seriously concerned about the recent restoration
of IMET (International Military Education and Training)
and the whole aspects of civil liberty in Indonesia. This
release of full IMET is a setback for justice, human rights
and democratic reform-a bad precedent of cycle of impunity
for crimes against humanity. The ongoing failures of the
Indonesian government to effectively uphold the law and
bring in the architects and perpetrators of human rights
violence to justice are some of the fundamental reasons
for the continuing social-political instability.
Therefore, CCEVI urges the Indonesian Government to:
1) Practice respect for the human rights of ALL Indonesians
and not only to take actions against all forms of ethno-racial
and faith based discrimination and violence, but also to
increase efforts to prevent and eliminate them.
2) Implement the recommendations made by the Indonesian
governments own Joint Fact-Finding Team with respect to
the mass riots and violence on May 13-15, 1998 against Chinese-Indonesians
citizens.
3) Bring to justice those who are responsible for all such
past and current violence and killing, whether the victims
are domestic - ethnically Chinese Indonesians, minority
peoples in Aceh, Maluku, Poso, Papua, and other areas of
violence.
The Multi-faith Memorial Event
The seventh multi-faith memorial service was held at Metro
Hall Toronto (Room 314) from 2:30 until around 5:00 in the
afternoon. Close to 40 people showed up at this event to
show their support and solidarity-among others members of
CAGI (Canadians Advocacy Group on Indonesia), Tsunami Justice
Working Group and Indonesian Buddhist Fellowship of Canada.
After a warm welcome greetings, Seh Ching Wen (President
of CCEVI) reiterated the need to keep on expressing our
grief and struggle to end human rights violation and discrimination,
and to hope for justice for the victims of May 1998 riots
in Indonesia. All dignitaries and speaker in this event
echoed CCEVI's concern and struggle. Tony Wong (MPP of Markham,
Ontario) said that we should not lose hope to keep on working
for this noble cause until justice prevails for the victims
and survivors of May 1998 riots in Indonesia. He gave the
example of the passing of the resolution to recognize the
Armenian Genocide in the House of Commons of Canada at the
commemoration ceremony of the 90th anniversary of the Genocide-the
first genocide of the 20th century. Then, Gloria Fung (Vice
Chair of Canada Hong Kong Link) conveyed similar message
on behalf of Canada Hong Kong Link, Olivia Chow (Toronto
City Councilor), and Dr. Joseph Wong (Chairman of Canadians
for Tsunami Relief).
As in past multi-faith memorial events, this year CCEVI
was also having multi-faith prayers, a moment of silence,
and a song in memory and honor to the victims of May 1998
riots, the victims of violence in Indonesia, and their families
and friends. A presentation of past memorial events was
highlighted afterwards.
Christine Jones of PBI (Peace Brigades International) gave
a moving and inspiring speech. She started her presentation
by mentioning several victims of violence in Indonesia,
including Ita Martadinata-a volunteer of *Tim Relawan* for
May 1998 riots-who was murdered just days before she had
to speak about this tragedy outside of Indonesia. We all
agree that we should move beyond grieving-we should work
together to find ways for justice to the victims of violence
in May 1998 riots in Indonesia. M (CCEVI/IM)
|
