Black September: A Dark Record of Human Rights Violations in Indonesia

Human Rights (HAM) refer to the fundamental rights and freedoms inherent to every individual from birth until death. These rights are a divine gift that must be respected, upheld, and protected by the state, law, government, and every individual.

Each person is entitled to their own rights, such as the freedom of expression, the right to choose their own religion, and more. We are obligated to respect the rights of others, just as they must respect ours.

However, human rights violations still occur globally, whether minor or severe. Indonesia, for instance, has witnessed several instances of such violations, ranging from the mysterious shootings (Petrus) between 1982-1985 to the Talangsari incident in 1989, among many others.

One particularly dark chapter in Indonesia's history is known as "Black September." This term refers to a series of severe human rights violations, all occurring in September. These include the assassination of human rights activist Munir Said Thalib, as well as the murder of Salim Kancil in 2015.

Here, the author has compiled several cases of severe human rights violations that took place in September, along with the government's poor record in addressing these incidents.

1. Munir Poisoned in the Air - September 7, 2004

Munir Said Thalib, commonly known as Munir, was a human rights activist who fiercely fought for those whose rights were oppressed and taken away. He began his activism career at the Legal Aid Institute (LBH) in the Surabaya branch for two years before being appointed as the Deputy Chairman for Operations at the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI).

Munir advocated for and handled several human rights violation cases in Indonesia during the New Order era. He also served as legal counsel for the families of three farmers who were killed during the Nipah Dam tragedy in 1993, where they were murdered by four Indonesian National Army (TNI) personnel amid a land dispute. Additionally, Munir co-founded the NGO Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS).

Eager to continue and deepen his fight for the human rights of the Indonesian people, Munir planned to pursue legal studies at Utrecht University in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. However, before he could achieve this dream, Munir was assassinated by poisoning "in the air" during his flight to the Netherlands on September 7, 2004.

Pollycarpus Budihari Priyanto, a Garuda Indonesia pilot who was on board the flight, became the prime suspect in Munir's murder. Along with Polly, two other Garuda crew members, Oedi Irianto and Yeti Susmiarti, were also named suspects in the case. The public prosecutor sought a life sentence for Pollycarpus, but he was only sentenced to eight years in prison and was granted parole in 2014. This sparked public outrage, as the punishment was seen as insufficient for the gravity of the crime committed.

2. A Dark Night in Tanjung Priok - September 12, 1984

The Tanjung Priok incident refers to the riots that occurred on September 12, 1984, in Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta, Indonesia, resulting in several deaths, injuries, and extensive property damage.

The incident began when a Bintara Pembina Desa (Babinsa) ordered the congregation of Musala As-Sa'adah to remove a pamphlet that was considered inconsistent with the state ideology of Pancasila. At that time, the New Order government was aggressively eradicating any ideologies that did not align with Pancasila due to fears stemming from the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) rebellion. Despite the order, the pamphlet remained in place.

Two days later, Sergeant Hermanu forcibly removed the pamphlet without taking off his shoes inside the Musala. Not only did he fail to remove his shoes, but he also splashed sewage water on the walls of the prayer hall. His actions enraged the local residents, leading to the burning of Sergeant Hermanu’s motorcycle by the angry crowd.

The military then arrested Syarifuddin, Sofwan, Ahmad, and Muhammad Nur, who were accused of being the provocateurs behind the incident. Amir Biki, a local community leader, requested the Commander of the North Jakarta Military District Command (Kodim) to release the four detained individuals. However, Amir Biki received no response and felt that he was being toyed with by the military command.

In response, Amir Biki gathered religious leaders and community figures from across Jakarta to organize a forum for the Muslim community, which took place at 8 p.m. The forum lasted for three hours and mobilized around 1,500 people to march toward the North Jakarta Police headquarters.

Before they could reach the police station, the demonstrators were intercepted by heavily armed military forces from both directions. The authorities had previously warned the protesters, but their warnings were met with chants of *takbir* as the crowd continued marching toward the police station. Ultimately, the military opened fire indiscriminately on the protesters. One by one, people fell, and thousands scattered, desperately trying to escape the barrage of bullets that rained down on them.

In an effort to resolve the issue, the Indonesian government held the first trial in 2003. Twelve defendants were found guilty, and the victims' families were entitled to compensation, restitution, and rehabilitation. However, in 2005, the appeals filed by the defendants were granted by the Supreme Court, which revoked the state’s obligation to provide compensation, restitution, and rehabilitation to the victims and their families.

Many Indonesians expressed deep regret over the court's decision to accept the defendants' appeals, as the sentences handed down were deemed insufficient given the horrific actions committed against the victims.

3. The "Bloody" Semanggi II Tragedy - September 24, 1999

On September 24, 1999, one of Indonesia’s most significant human rights violations occurred. Known as the "Semanggi II Tragedy," this event resulted in the deaths of 11 civilians and injuries to 217 others.

The tragedy unfolded during protests against proposed legislation that was perceived as an effort to restore military influence in politics, just as Indonesia was transitioning into a democratic era following the fall of the New Order regime. The demonstrations were met with violent military crackdowns, leading to the loss of innocent lives and widespread injuries.

The events leading to the Semanggi II tragedy began when students demanded the cancellation of the Penanggulangan Keadaan Bahaya (PKB) Bill and the abolition of the dual function of the Indonesian Armed Forces (ABRI/TNI). The PKB Bill was seen as granting excessive power to the government in handling emergency situations, such as giving the President full authority to declare a state of emergency (including protests and similar actions) and allowing the security forces to exercise repressive measures during such times. Meanwhile, the dual function of ABRI/TNI reduced civilian representation in government, as military personnel dominated many governmental positions. This lack of transparency in the government, combined with ABRI/TNI’s influence, often led to human rights violations and unrest.

A few hours after the PKB Bill was passed, waves of students, workers, activists, NGOs, and professionals across Indonesia marched to the Parliament building. They demanded that the new law be repealed by the House of Representatives (DPR). The rising pressure from the demonstrators eventually led to the tragic events of the Semanggi II Tragedy. Among the victims was Hap Yun Hap.

Hap Yun Hap, an Electrical Engineering student at the University of Indonesia (UI), was one of the casualties of this tragedy. He died after being struck by a live bullet fired by security forces, which penetrated his right torso.

The repressive actions of the authorities seemed to show no learning from previous events. From the Semanggi I Tragedy to the Semanggi II Tragedy, the military’s violent responses indicated a failure to reflect on past incidents. To this day, the case remains unresolved, further tarnishing the Indonesian government's record in handling human rights violations.

4. Salim Kancil: Killed for Opposing Mining - September 26, 2015

Nine years ago, on September 26, 2015, a farmer and environmental activist named Salim Kancil was brutally murdered. Salim Kancil was an outspoken advocate for environmental protection and a staunch opponent of a sand mining operation in Selok Awar-Awar Village, Pasirian District, Lumajang Regency, East Java.

Salim had been actively protesting against the sand mining activities, which he believed were causing severe environmental damage to his village. Despite receiving threats, he continued to raise his voice against the powerful interests behind the illegal mining operation. His resistance ultimately cost him his life.

Salim's murder, which involved brutal torture, shocked the nation and drew attention to the growing tensions between local communities and illegal mining operations in Indonesia. His death is a stark reminder of the dangers faced by environmental activists who stand up against powerful entities that prioritize profit over the well-being of people and the environment.

The incident began when villagers in Selok Awar-Awar started to complain that the sand mining in their village was gradually damaging the local environment. The irrigation systems for their rice fields were being destroyed, and crops could no longer be planted because seawater was flooding the fields after the relentless sand extraction along the coast left the area bare. In response, Salim Kancil and several of his fellow villagers formed a movement to oppose the mining operation in their village.

Hariyono, the village head of Selok Awar-Awar, became increasingly disturbed by Salim and his group’s persistent resistance to the sand mining. Together with his associate, Mat Dasir, Hariyono hired 40 thugs to attack Salim. Using stones and machetes, the hired men brutally assaulted Salim until he tragically died from his injuries.

The horrific nature of Salim's death prompted the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) to comment on the case, stating that the level of security and protection for human rights defenders in Indonesia remains alarmingly low. Salim's murder highlighted the dangerous reality faced by those who stand up to powerful interests that threaten their communities and the environment.

The two masterminds behind Salim's murder, Hariyono and Mat Dasir, were sentenced to only 20 years in prison. The punishment was seen as lenient compared to the life sentence demanded by the prosecutors. Local residents felt that the verdict was disproportionate to the brutality of the crime committed against Salim Kancil.

This leniency sparked outrage within the community, as many believed that the punishment did not reflect the severity of the actions that led to Salim’s tragic death. The case served as yet another example of the justice system's perceived failure to adequately address serious human rights violations.

Source : September Hitam: Catatan Kelam Pelanggaran HAM di Indonesia | kumparan.com