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) http://www.indonesiamedia.com/2005/06/early/english/seven.htm .: Forum Diskusi Budaya Tionghua dan Sejarah Tiongkok :. .: Kunjungi website global : http://www.budaya-tionghoa.org :. .: Untuk bergabung : http://groups.yahoo.com/group/budaya_tionghua :. .: Jaringan pertemanan Friendster : [EMAIL PROTECTED] :. Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/budaya_tionghua/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
