new 'Talking Indonesia' podcast: Justice For Mass Atrocities

[serious_fun]

Needless to write, the apparent impunity enjoyed by those involved with abuses in Indonesia is directly linked to the levels of corruption. If there's no consequence for murder or torture, why would anyone fear consequences for corruption??

Justice For Mass Atrocities podcast

The Univ. of Melbourne site in case you're interested in what that dept. is doing.

 

[Bob]

Did they mention what atrocities triggered the separatist movement in Aceh? I always thought the atrocities, by both sides, were after the movement got going.

 

[pantaiema]

These people in the podcast are just talking about what is widely known, nothing special

Please bear in mind that GAM refers to the Aceh Separatist Movement. Acts of violence are not exclusive to the Indonesian military; they are also perpetrated by paramilitary groups associated with GAM. It becomes questions whether the same inquiries have also been asked to the families of Indonesian army members. It's important to note that Aceh is internationally recognized as an integral part of Indonesia. Following peace Agreement in 2005, Aceh has been granted as a special region by the central government with a greater autonomy compared to other region in Indonesia to run it own government.

Indonesia is a diverse archipelago with various ethnic groups, which is why both the Indonesian government and countries worldwide take separatist movements seriously. Imagine a scenario where a separatist movement or secession attempt emerges in Aceh, driven by self interest, a small but vocal minority or diaspora abroad and supported by foreign governments due to their interests in the region. This situation could potentially transform Indonesia into a state akin to Afghanistan or the Gaza Strip. West Papua and other regions/ethnics might follow. Indonesia will turn to become a failed state and as usual civilians will always be the victims in the elite conflicts.

 

[serious_fun]

I was a bit disappointed with the podcast - the guest was a law student who had written about crimes rather than a recognized expert on one or more of the issues from Indonesia's past. (The guest had some interesting things to say, and she seemed articulate, but it wasn't what I expected.)

The host of the show was a bit weak IMHO.

Indonesia is a diverse archipelago with various ethnic groups, which is why both the Indonesian government and countries worldwide take separatist movements seriously.

Ja, I was surprised that the podcast dealt with the separatists and the football tragedy of last year. I assumed that the topic was to be the horrors of the 'year of living dangerously' with Soekarno and then the Suharto era.

I apologise for not listening to the podcast before posting the link!

 

[Bob]

These people in the podcast are just talking about what is widely known, nothing special

Please bear in mind that GAM refers to the Aceh Separatist Movement. Acts of violence are not exclusive to the Indonesian military; they are also perpetrated by paramilitary groups associated with GAM. It becomes questions whether the same inquiries have also been asked to the families of Indonesian army members. It's important to note that Aceh is internationally recognized as an integral part of Indonesia. Following peace Agreement in 2005, Aceh has been granted as a special region by the central government with a greater autonomy compared to other region in Indonesia to run it own government.

Indonesia is a diverse archipelago with various ethnic groups, which is why both the Indonesian government and countries worldwide take separatist movements seriously. Imagine a scenario where a separatist movement or secession attempt emerges in Aceh, driven by self interest, a small but vocal minority or diaspora abroad and supported by foreign governments due to their interests in the region. This situation could potentially transform Indonesia into a state akin to Afghanistan or the Gaza Strip. West Papua and other regions/ethnics might follow. Indonesia will turn to become a failed state and as usual civilians will always be the victims in the elite conflicts.

Those are interesting points in the last paragraph although the comparisons to Gaza and Afghanistan are invalid. Central governments do take a dim view of separatism.