A Realistic Perspective to Transitional Justice
A Study of Its Impediments in Indonesia
Abstract
Indonesia is one of the most democratized countries in Asia. There have been some improvements both in political and legal aspects; the most powerful legal reform was the amendments of the 1945 Constitution. In the context of civil and political rights, Indonesian people have exercised their constitutional rights to select political leaders, rotate elites and to enjoy greater civil liberty, even though there are still many rooms for improvements. One of the most vital hurdles is the failure of the reformed governments to settle gross-violation of human rights cases happened in the past. Suharto’s authoritarian regime had exercised repressive actions toward oppositions and civil society movements, including universities’ students, activists and minorities. The ad hoc Court of Human Rights had failed to reveal the truth for some prominent cases, let alone providing remedy and reconciliation. It was highly believed that the trials were conducted only as safeguards to prevent international intervention on Indonesia’s past unlawful violations.
References
Books, Journals and Conference Paper
Abdulbaki, Louay, ‘Democratization in Indonesia: From Transition to Consolidation’, Asian Journal of Political Science 16 (2) August 2008, 151-172
Anderson, Benedict, ‘The Idea of Power in Javanese Culture’ in Benedict Anderson, Language and Power: Exploring Political Culture in Indonesia (Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 1990)
Bruinessen, Martin van, “Overview of Muslim Organizations, Associations and Movements in Indonesia” in Martin van Bruinessen, ed, Contemporary Development in Indonesian Islam: Explaining “Conservative Turn” (Singapore: ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, 2013)
Buana, Mirza Satria, Indonesia’s Multicultural Democracy at Stake: The Rise of Ethnic-Religious Populism in Approaching the 2019 Presidential Election, (Paper presented at International Conference on Multicultural Democracy, at Kyushu University)
Carnegie, Paul J, Democratization and Decentralization in Post-Suharto Indonesia: Understanding Transition Dynamics, Pacific Affairs 81 (4) 2008, 515-525
Crisan, Iulia, The Principles of Legality “nullum crimen, nulla poena sine lege” and their roles, Effectius 5 (2010)
Colvin, Christopher J, ‘We are still Struggling’: Storytelling, Reparations and Reconciliation after the TRC, (Research Report, Centre for The Study of Violence and Reconciliation, 2000)
Dahl, Robert A, On Democracy (Yale University Press, 1998)
Fearnside, Phillip M, ‘Transmigration in Indonesia: Lessons from Its Environmental and Social Impacts’, Environmental Management 21(4) 553-570
Feith, Herbert, ‘President Soekarno, the Army and the Communists: The Triangle Changes Shape’, Asian Survey Vol 4 (1964), 969-980, 979
Gready, Paul and Simon Robins, “From Transitional Justice to Transformative Justice: A New Agenda for Practice”, The International Journal of Transitional Justice, 8 (2014), 339-361
Hadiz, Vedi, Islamic Populism in Indonesia and the Middle East (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2016)
Kingsbury, Damien, Power Politics and the Indonesian Military (Routledge, 2005)
Linz, J and A. Stepan, Problems of Democratic Transition and Consolidation: Southern Europe, South America and Post-Communist Europe (Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1996)
Marzuki, Suparman, Robohnya Keadilan! Politik Hukum HAM Era Reformasi, (Pusham UII, 2011)
McCormack, Brian, Fifty Years of Indonesian Development: “One Nation”, Under Capitalism, Journal of World-System Research 5 48-73
Mudde, Cas, “Populist Zeitgeist”, Government and Opposition, 39.4 (2004): 542-563
Rahardjo, Satjipto, ‘Between Two Worlds: Modern State and Traditional Society in Indonesia’ (1994) 28 Law & Society Review, 493, 495
Robinson, Geoffrey, East Timor 1999 Crimes against Humanity (A Report Commissioned by the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, 2003)
Sukarno, Di Bawah Bendera Revolusi [Under the Revolution Flag] (Panitia Penerbit, 1964)
The United Nations Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Racism, Political Platforms Which Promote or Incite Racial Discrimination
The United Nations, Guidance Note of the Secretary-General: United Nations Approach to Transitional Justice (2010)
Thoms, Oskar N.T and James Ron, ‘Do Human Rights Violations Cause Internal Conflict?’ Human Rights Quarterly 29 (3) (2007): p. 674-704
Trial of the Major War Criminals before the International Military Tribunal (International Military Tribunal, 1947)
Tzu, Sun, The Art of War (Arcturus Publishing 2014)
Verdross, Alfed, “Jus Dispositivum and Jus Cogens in International Law”, American Journal of International Law 60 (1966)
Webber, Douglas, ‘A Consolidated Patrimonial Democracy? Democratization in Post-Suharto Indonesia’, Democratization 13 (3) (2006), pp. 396-420
Wiratraman, Herlambang P, New Media and Human Rights: The Legal Battle of Freedom of Expression in Indonesia, (Paper presented for the 11th Annual Student Human Rights Law Conference at Nottingham University, 20 – 21 March 2010)
Yew, Lee Kuan, From Third Word to First (Singapore: Time Editions, 2000)
Zizek, Slavoj, “Against Populist Temptation”, Critical Inquiry, 32.3 (2006): 551-574
Internet Materials
Aghababian, A.H, The Kakawin Sutasoma: A Look at Bhinneka Tunggal Ika and Perceptions of the Text’s Religious Implications, Inquires Journal < http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1142/the-kakawin-sutasoma-a-look-at-bhinneka-tunggal-ika-and-perceptions-of-the-texts-religious-implications# >.
Al Khanif, Questioning Theistic, Secular Pancasila to Protect Religion, The Jakarta Post, June 1st 2015.
Council of Europe, < https://www.coe.int/t/dghl/cooperation/lisbonnetwork/themis/echr/paper2_en.asp>.
ELSAM, Pilihan Rekonsiliasi Kasus Trisakti, Semanggi I dan II: Bukti Semakin Jauhnya Realisasi Janji Penyelesaian
Fealy, Greg, Bigger than Ahok: Explaining the 2 December Mass Rally, < http://indonesiaatmelbourne.unimelb.edu.au/bigger-than-ahok-explaining-jakartas-2-december-mass-rally/>.
Halmai, Gaboi, The Role of Constitutionalism in Transitional Justice Processes in Central Europe < https://www.eui.eu/Documents/DepartmentsCentres/Law/Professors/Halmai/Constitutions-and-TJ.pdf>.
Hamid, Usman, Indonesia’s Human Rights After 20 Years of Reformasi, The Diplomat,
Hermawan, Ary, Indonesia has serious ‘overcriminalisation’ problem, The Strait Times.
Indonesia’s Scandal-hit ex-speaker seeks opposition leadership, Financial Times < https://www.ft.com/content/afd9d32e-d48b-11e5-969e-9d801cf5e15b >.
Kline, Chris, Suharto: One of the greatest mass murderers of the 20th century, Independent < https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/suharto-one-of-the-greatest-mass-murderers-of-the-20th-century-777103.html >.
KontraS, Massacre of Tanjung Priok in 1984 < https://www.kontras.org/tpriok/data/Massacre%20of%20Tanjung%20Priok%20in%201984.pdf>
Sundaryni, Fedina S, Massacre Victim’ Families Demand Justice, Jakarta Post, September, 14, 2015 < http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/09/14/massacre-victims-families-demand-justice.html >.
Legislation
The 1945 Constitution (Amended).
Law No 1 of 1965 on Prevention, Misuse and/or Religious Blasphemy.
Foreign Legislation
Law No 34 of 1995 on Promotion of National Unity and Reconciliation (South Africa).
International Conventions
Vienne Convention on Laws of Treaties (1986)
Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.
Statute of the International Criminal Court.
Geneva Convention IV.
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
Abdulbaki, Louay, ‘Democratization in Indonesia: From Transition to Consolidation’, Asian Journal of Political Science 16 (2) August 2008, 151-172
Anderson, Benedict, ‘The Idea of Power in Javanese Culture’ in Benedict Anderson, Language and Power: Exploring Political Culture in Indonesia (Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 1990)
Bruinessen, Martin van, “Overview of Muslim Organizations, Associations and Movements in Indonesia” in Martin van Bruinessen, ed, Contemporary Development in Indonesian Islam: Explaining “Conservative Turn” (Singapore: ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, 2013)
Buana, Mirza Satria, Indonesia’s Multicultural Democracy at Stake: The Rise of Ethnic-Religious Populism in Approaching the 2019 Presidential Election, (Paper presented at International Conference on Multicultural Democracy, at Kyushu University)
Carnegie, Paul J, Democratization and Decentralization in Post-Suharto Indonesia: Understanding Transition Dynamics, Pacific Affairs 81 (4) 2008, 515-525
Crisan, Iulia, The Principles of Legality “nullum crimen, nulla poena sine lege” and their roles, Effectius 5 (2010)
Colvin, Christopher J, ‘We are still Struggling’: Storytelling, Reparations and Reconciliation after the TRC, (Research Report, Centre for The Study of Violence and Reconciliation, 2000)
Dahl, Robert A, On Democracy (Yale University Press, 1998)
Fearnside, Phillip M, ‘Transmigration in Indonesia: Lessons from Its Environmental and Social Impacts’, Environmental Management 21(4) 553-570
Feith, Herbert, ‘President Soekarno, the Army and the Communists: The Triangle Changes Shape’, Asian Survey Vol 4 (1964), 969-980, 979
Gready, Paul and Simon Robins, “From Transitional Justice to Transformative Justice: A New Agenda for Practice”, The International Journal of Transitional Justice, 8 (2014), 339-361
Hadiz, Vedi, Islamic Populism in Indonesia and the Middle East (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2016)
Kingsbury, Damien, Power Politics and the Indonesian Military (Routledge, 2005)
Linz, J and A. Stepan, Problems of Democratic Transition and Consolidation: Southern Europe, South America and Post-Communist Europe (Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1996)
Marzuki, Suparman, Robohnya Keadilan! Politik Hukum HAM Era Reformasi, (Pusham UII, 2011)
McCormack, Brian, Fifty Years of Indonesian Development: “One Nation”, Under Capitalism, Journal of World-System Research 5 48-73
Mudde, Cas, “Populist Zeitgeist”, Government and Opposition, 39.4 (2004): 542-563
Rahardjo, Satjipto, ‘Between Two Worlds: Modern State and Traditional Society in Indonesia’ (1994) 28 Law & Society Review, 493, 495
Robinson, Geoffrey, East Timor 1999 Crimes against Humanity (A Report Commissioned by the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, 2003)
Sukarno, Di Bawah Bendera Revolusi [Under the Revolution Flag] (Panitia Penerbit, 1964)
The United Nations Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Racism, Political Platforms Which Promote or Incite Racial Discrimination
The United Nations, Guidance Note of the Secretary-General: United Nations Approach to Transitional Justice (2010)
Thoms, Oskar N.T and James Ron, ‘Do Human Rights Violations Cause Internal Conflict?’ Human Rights Quarterly 29 (3) (2007): p. 674-704
Trial of the Major War Criminals before the International Military Tribunal (International Military Tribunal, 1947)
Tzu, Sun, The Art of War (Arcturus Publishing 2014)
Verdross, Alfed, “Jus Dispositivum and Jus Cogens in International Law”, American Journal of International Law 60 (1966)
Webber, Douglas, ‘A Consolidated Patrimonial Democracy? Democratization in Post-Suharto Indonesia’, Democratization 13 (3) (2006), pp. 396-420
Wiratraman, Herlambang P, New Media and Human Rights: The Legal Battle of Freedom of Expression in Indonesia, (Paper presented for the 11th Annual Student Human Rights Law Conference at Nottingham University, 20 – 21 March 2010)
Yew, Lee Kuan, From Third Word to First (Singapore: Time Editions, 2000)
Zizek, Slavoj, “Against Populist Temptation”, Critical Inquiry, 32.3 (2006): 551-574
Internet Materials
Aghababian, A.H, The Kakawin Sutasoma: A Look at Bhinneka Tunggal Ika and Perceptions of the Text’s Religious Implications, Inquires Journal < http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1142/the-kakawin-sutasoma-a-look-at-bhinneka-tunggal-ika-and-perceptions-of-the-texts-religious-implications# >.
Al Khanif, Questioning Theistic, Secular Pancasila to Protect Religion, The Jakarta Post, June 1st 2015
Council of Europe, < https://www.coe.int/t/dghl/cooperation/lisbonnetwork/themis/echr/paper2_en.asp>.
ELSAM, Pilihan Rekonsiliasi Kasus Trisakti, Semanggi I dan II: Bukti Semakin Jauhnya Realisasi Janji Penyelesaian
Fealy, Greg, Bigger than Ahok: Explaining the 2 December Mass Rally, < http://indonesiaatmelbourne.unimelb.edu.au/bigger-than-ahok-explaining-jakartas-2-december-mass-rally/>.
Halmai, Gaboi, The Role of Constitutionalism in Transitional Justice Processes in Central Europe < https://www.eui.eu/Documents/DepartmentsCentres/Law/Professors/Halmai/Constitutions-and-TJ.pdf>.
Hamid, Usman, Indonesia’s Human Rights After 20 Years of Reformasi, The Diplomat,
Hermawan, Ary, Indonesia has serious ‘overcriminalisation’ problem, The Strait Times
Indonesia’s Scandal-hit ex-speaker seeks opposition leadership, Financial Times < https://www.ft.com/content/afd9d32e-d48b-11e5-969e-9d801cf5e15b >.
Kline, Chris, Suharto: One of the greatest mass murderers of the 20th century, Independent < https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/suharto-one-of-the-greatest-mass-murderers-of-the-20th-century-777103.html >.
KontraS, Massacre of Tanjung Priok in 1984 < https://www.kontras.org/tpriok/data/Massacre%20of%20Tanjung%20Priok%20in%201984.pdf>
Sundaryni, Fedina S, Massacre Victim’ Families Demand Justice, Jakarta Post, September, 14, 2015 < http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/09/14/massacre-victims-families-demand-justice.html >.
Legislation
The 1945 Constitution (Amended).
Law No 1 of 1965 on Prevention, Misuse and/or Religious Blasphemy.
Foreign Legislation
Law No 34 of 1995 on Promotion of National Unity and Reconciliation (South Africa).
International Conventions
Vienne Convention on Laws of Treaties (1986)
Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.
Statute of the International Criminal Court.
Geneva Convention IV.
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
Published
2020-12-07
How to Cite
BUANA, Mirza Satria.
A Realistic Perspective to Transitional Justice.
Journal of Southeast Asian Human Rights, [S.l.], v. 4, n. 2, p. 406-426, dec. 2020.
ISSN 2599-2147.
Available at: <https://jurnal.unej.ac.id/index.php/JSEAHR/article/view/8395>. Date accessed: 27 apr. 2024.
doi: https://doi.org/10.19184/jseahr.v4i2.8395.
Section
Articles
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
