We are not Alone, so We are Strong

Families of the victims refuse to forget about the incident that has caused them to lose their loved ones. The winding road to seek justice is really tiring. However, the flames of conviction have kept them going.

KOMPAS/DIAN DEWI PURNAMASARI

Maria Catarina Sumarsih shows a file of cassation memory against the Attorney General which is being submitted to the Supreme Court, Wednesday (5/5/2021). Sumarsih is the mother of Bernardus Realino Norma Irawan or Wawan, a student at the Atmajaya University Jakarta who was shot dead during the Semanggi I tragedy, November 13, 1998.

It has been 23 years in Maria Catarina Sumarsih’s, 69, fight for justice. Her eldest son, Bernardus Realino Norma Irawan or Wawan, was shot dead during the Semanggi I tragedy, Nov. 13, 1998. The emotional pain over the loss of her son, who was then a student at Atma Jaya University, Jakarta, has turned into persistence in fighting for justice even though the journey is winding, steep and very tiring.

Since 2007, she has participated in the Kamisan action with families of other victims of the gross human rights violations, as well as people who care about human rights issues. The Kamisan silent protest has been carried out more than 600 times.

"Since the Covid-19 pandemic, the Kamisan action has been abolished. We have sent letters routinely to the President,” said Sumarsih at her home in Jakarta, Wednesday (5/5/2021).

Also read: Families of 1998 Victims Refuse to Give up

That day, she sat in the living room of her house holding a bundle of thick files of cassation submitted to the Supreme Court. Together with the families of other victims, she challenged the statement of Attorney General ST Burhanuddin, who in a meeting at the DPR (House of Representatives) said that the Semanggi I and Semanggi II tragedies were not gross human rights violations.

Every time I wanted to pay court fees, my friends who were with me always prevented me. They said, ‘Mam, just let me pay for it’

For Sumarsih, the journey to demand justice seems endless. She has been able to get through because of the large support from civil society. The Foundation of the Indonesian Legal Aid Institute (YLBHI), Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras), Legal Aid Institute (LBH) Jakarta, Amnesty International Indonesia, and other organizations support Sumarsih. They help compile lawsuit files, collect evidence, present legal experts to court, and cover court fees.

“Every time I wanted to pay court fees, my friends who were with me always prevented me. They said, ‘Mam, just let me pay for it’,” said Sumarsih.

KOMPAS/RADITYA HELABUMI

Volunteers and human right activists participate in the 600th Kamisan Action in front of Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Thursday (5/9/2019). The event, which is held every Thursday, aims to remind the government to resolve past cases of gross human rights violations.

There were many families of the victims of the gross human rights violations who took part in the Kamisan action in front of the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta. They were members of the Victim

Solidarity Network for Justice. Among them were victims of student shootings, the May riots, and victims of enforced disappearances in the action demanding reform in 1998.

The Kamisan action reminded the public of the movement of mothers from Argentina, victims of the dictatorship of the military regime. The mothers regularly held demonstrations at the Plaza de Mayo, in front of the Argentine Presidential Palace.

Also read: Steep Road in Fulfilling the Promise of ‘Reformasi’ in 1998

They demanded that the government take responsibility for their missing children who were allegedly killed by the 1976-1983 authoritarian regime. Their goals were achieved as Argentina changed to become more democratic and respect human rights.

Strengthening each other

This solidarity makes Sumarsih feel as if she is never alone. When she is exhausted, solidarity among victims\' families and support from civil society groups has strengthened her again.

"Love in the family can foster enthusiasm and hope. When we loved Wawan, the grief of this family has been able to be transformed into love for others, so that we can fight together for justice,” said Sumarsih.

Kompas

The Chairperson of the Special Committee on Enforced Disappearances of the DPR MS Effendy Simbolon, Executive Director of the Commission for Missing Persons and Violence (Kontras) Usman Hamid, Kontras Coordinator Haris Azhar, and DPR Commission I member Lily Wahid (right to left) spoke to journalists related to the kidnapping case and Enforced Disappearances in 1997-1998, at the Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Wednesday (24/10/2012).

Being exhausted is certain, because it seems like waiting for an empty expectation.

Maria Sanu, 73, lost her son, Stevanus Sanu, who was 16 years old during the riots in Yogya Plaza, Klender, East Jakarta. Maria also never lost spirit. She continues to expect that the perpetrators of the May 1998 riots can be exposed and brought to justice. As someone who is no longer young, Maria admits that sometimes she is physically and mentally tired of struggling in the Kamisan action.

"Being exhausted is certain, because it seems like waiting for an empty expectation. We hope that the state will acknowledge the 1998 violence and follow it up legally. However, until now it is only promises," said Maria.

Paian Siahaan, 74, is the father of Ucok Munandar Siahaan, one of the victims of enforced disappearance in 1997-1998. When he was lost, Ucok was studying at the Perbanas Institute, Kuningan, Jakarta, in the sixth semester. Previously, Paian said, besides struggling through formal channels, the family also tried to find Ucok through other ways, such as asking for help from "smart people".

Also read:

^ Waiting for Godot every May

^ Waiting for the President’s Promises

Someone once said that his son was in a mountain near the city of Bogor. Others said his son was in Aceh. The family tried to trace this information because of the high hopes of finding the boy.

Since Ucok disappeared, Paian added, his wife has been sick. The mental stress has had a physical impact. Currently, the wife is just lying on the bed and cannot walk.

For 23 years, he has made all efforts, such as hearings to a number of agencies and public officials. Now, they only hope; justice comes and greets.

This article was translated by Hyginus Hardoyo.