The Indonesian Institute for the Study of 1965/1966 Massacre (YPKP '65/ 66)

The Indonesian Institute for the Study of 1965/1966 Massacre (YPKP '65/ 66)

The « Movement of 30 September » (Gerakan 30 September) was launched in 1965 by a group of Indonesian army officers led by the Commander of the Presidential Guard (Lieutenant Colonel Untung). A Revolutionary Council was proclaimed to protect and bolster the policies of President Sukarno.

Subsequently, six high ranking officers of the army were kidnapped and killed. The Indonesian army command, headed by Major General Suharto reacted strongly. They accused some leading members of the PKI (Indonesian Communist Party) and suspected president Sukarno of having had a hand in this affair. A country wide campaign to crush the PKI and other pro Sukarno organisations was put into effect.

Over a period of 16 months in 1965-1966 a huge number of Indonesians were massacred by the army (and its supporters) or imprisoned for long periods, most often without trial. Amongst the victims were leaders and activists of the PKI (at all levels) and members of various mass organisation including workers, peasants, teachers, students, government officials, women, intellectuals, artists and journalists. The outcome of all this was that president Sukarno lost power and was replaced by Suharto, whose authoritarian presidency lasted until 1998.

Lifting the Curtain on the Coup of October 1 st 1965 – Suing for the Justice

The death-toll of the massacre It has been impossible to establish realistically the death-toll resulting from the 1965-

1966 massacres, as Suharto's military regime has firmly discouraged any such efforts. A kind of state terror was exercised to silence public opinion and independent research. The following figures speak for themselves :

1. A fact-finding Commission originally formed by President Sukarno before his eviction from power has estimated a figure of 78 000 deaths

2. General Sudomo (former Commander of National Security and Order in the Suharto regime) -2 000 000 deaths

3. Encyclopaedia Britannica - between 80 000 to 1 000 000 deaths

4. General Sarwo Edhie, who headed military actions during this period - 3 000 000 deaths

5. President Habibie mentioned (to the Indonesian press, 8 October 1999) the figure of 500 000 to1 000 000 deaths

Following Suharto's deposure and now that Habibie is no longer president, it may be possible at last to carry out serious research regarding the extent of the massacres, as well as the imprisonment's, and flagrant abuses of power perpetrated during the

32 years of the Suharto's regime : a regime which has brought Indonesia to its knees economically, morally and socially.

The founding of the Institute Research work on the massacres was first instigated in 1994 by Mrs Sulami (former

Secretary General of Gerwani, the leading women's organisation) but limited its scope to Central and East Java. This work was both very difficult and dangerous at the time. All those involved have agreed that there is a need and heed for a specialised organisation to continue the task in a serious, in depth and objective manner. The results will enable future generations of Indonesians to have a clear view regarding these years of their history.

The “Indonesian Institute for the Study of 1965/1966 Massacre” is the direct result : it was constituted by notarial act on 7th April 1999. Amongst its founding members are Pramoedya Ananta Toer (writer), Hasan Raid, Koesalah Soebagio Toer, Mrs Soelami, Mrs Soemini Martono, Dr. Ribka Ciptaning and Soeharno. Its office is in Tangerang, near Jakarta.

The Institute's activities so far have been :

1. to treat and process data collected since 1994, including testimonies and other sources of evidence.

1. to establish a network of YPKP branches inside Java and to prepare its extension to other parts of Indonesia in order to collect further information.

1. to cooperate with other Indonesian organisations with similar aims.

1. to organise support from abroad (including the Indonesian Diaspora)

Menguak Tabir Peristiwa 1 Oktober 1965 – Mencari Keadilan

The Institute works with a small budget, essentially individual contributions from founding members and sympathisers. Much of the works done is voluntary. Despite the budget limitation, the Institute has organised conferences and workshops for activists and volunteers from Central and East Java in order to establish a common methodology. Even today the YPKP is obliged to carry on its activities with prudence in order to maintain security for all. A much larger budget will be required to enlarge the scope of activity.

The aims and programmes of the Institute

1. To continue collecting data concerning the number of victims, their identities and the circumstances at the time of arrest and/or disappearance in 1965- 1966. The data to be stored in data-base or conventional files as well as in the forms of reports, etc.

2. To prepare all documentation needed to bring legal action against individuals or groups who were directly or indirectly involved in the massacres or other atrocities.

3. To call for the rehabilitation of rights and honours of the victims and their families, and the complete restoration of civil rights to ex-political prisoners and former members of the PKI and their relatives.

1. To demand correction of falsified versions of national history, especially those concerning the events of 1965-1966, and the policies of “Orde Baru”

(New Order) during Suharto's regime Methods of research Interviews with witnesses of the condition at times of arrest, of movements into or out

of prisons and concentration camps, or of the killings. The recording of interviews, the collecting of photographs of victims, the mapping of

massacre sites, the collecting of direct evidence (bones, skulls etc). The reconstruc- tion of pictures of kidnap locations, concentration camps and killing grounds.

The extent of the work is immense, so efforts will have to be made step by step and area by area in accordance with political conditions, budget and human resources. The areas covered will include Central Java, Yogyakarta, East Java, West Java, Bali, West Nusa Tenggara, East Nusa Tenggara, South Sumatra, NORTH Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Maluku, Irian Jaya and other regions where sufficient evidence is detected.

Research should be carried out during the period of one year from September 1999 till August 2000.

A common task at home and abroad The events in question took place some 36 years ago. Many of those involved

directly or indirectly are still living, and some have reason to exert considerable influence to keep matters quiet. So the work to be done by the Institute will not be

Lifting the Curtain on the Coup of October 1 st 1965 – Suing for the Justice

easy. But it is of great importance to restore normal citizen's rights to the millions of relatives of victims and to rehabilitate the surviving victims themselves.

The Institute will need financial help from organisations and societies in Indonesia and abroad. It may perhaps hope for from many circles now that the presidency and the government have changed. It will need donations. It will need voluntary work. It will need co-operation from humanitarian organisations, historians, jurists, universities, parliamentarians, and others, at home and abroad.

The task is immense, and of great importance to Indonesia and the world, as it implies no less than a restoration of justice to the millions who have suffered or died because of the events of 1965-1966, but also a true revision of history as it was written and taught by those responsible for the crimes.

The Institute wishes to cooperate with all who share this aim. The task merits interna- tional solidarity.

For direct contacts at Jakarta (preferably in English or Indonesian language) : Yayasan Penelitian Korban Pembunuhan 1965/1966 (Indonesian Institute for the Study of 1965/1966 Massacre) Address : Jalan Kalibesar Timur no.3 Jakarta Barat 11110 – Indonesia Phone 62-21-5312 17 70 or 62-21-551 2314 and Cell Phone 0812 9240 360 Bank : BNI Capem Cimone, Tangerang, account number 001.027.495.001 E-mail : ypkp_pusat at 37.com Nederland Email: YPKP_NED at xs4all.nl

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