Banda Aceh, Indonesia, 14 August 2025 – To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Aceh Peace Agreement, the Aceh Truth and Reconciliation Commission (Aceh TRC) launched the English translation of its findings report, Peulara Damèe (Nurturing Peace), in Banda Aceh on 14 August 2025. This event, conducted in a hybrid format, was collaboratively organised by the Aceh TRC, Asia Justice and Rights (AJAR), and KontraS Aceh.
The report, initially launched at the Aceh Regional People’s Representative Council (DPRA) in 2023, presents comprehensive findings on crimes against humanity during the Aceh conflict from 1976 to 2005. It documents the journey undertaken by victims in their pursuit of truth, justice, and reparation.
The English publication marks a milestone, representing not only an act of accountability directed toward the populace of Aceh and Indonesia but also a strategic endeavour to cultivate dialogue at the international level. The report is designed to engage the global community, academic researchers, relevant policymakers, and international institutions actively involved in the fields of human rights and peacebuilding initiatives.
The Peulara Damèe report is based on 5,195 testimonies collected from victims and witnesses of gross human rights violations. It systematically identifies patterns of violations and their impact on vulnerable groups, including women and children. The report further outlines recommendations regarding victim reparations, legal enforcement mechanisms, ongoing truth-seeking initiatives, and guarantees against non-recurrence.
Representing the Governor of Aceh, Regional Secretary M. Nasir commended the report’s launch, characterising it as a historical document and a valuable lesson for the global community. “This momentum must be sustained through peacebuilding efforts, victim support programs, and conflict prevention strategies to ensure such events do not recur.” He reiterated the Aceh Government’s commitment to following up on the TRC report’s recommendations as a component of inclusive development and the establishment of sustainable peace.
United Nations Special Rapporteur on Truth, Justice, and Reparation, Bernard Duhaime, in his pre-recorded virtual address, recognised the Aceh TRC as the sole formal truth commission established within the framework of Indonesia’s transitional justice efforts. “This momentum serves as a bridge toward deeper engagement in the comprehensive transformation required for sustainable peace.” He emphasised that the testimonies and recommendations contained within the report acknowledge the experience of victims and provide a framework for continued action.
During the launch’s discussion session, moderated by the AJAR Regional Program Manager, Indria Fernida, the former Chair of Aceh TRC (2016–2021), Afridal Darmi, articulated how Peulara Damèe captures not only the suffering endured but also the resilience of victims in preserving their collective memories. He noted that while victims had significant expectations for transitional justice mechanisms promised within the Helsinki MoU, the implementation has been slow.
The current Chair of Aceh TRC (2021–2026), Masthur Yahya, underscored that the decision to publish the report in English constitutes a strategic step to disseminate Aceh’s lessons and experiences globally. He noted the Aceh TRC achievements, such as the implementation of participatory truth-seeking initiatives and the official recognition provided by the DPRA. Concurrently, Mastur Yahya acknowledged challenges, including the limitation of government resources and policy support required for comprehensive reparations. “This report is not a conclusion, but a stepping stone designed to encourage tangible action in fulfilling Aceh’s victims’ rights.”
Over 100 participants attended the launch, both in person and via Zoom, including representatives from government institutions, civil society organisations, academia, media, and international organisations. The event served as both a reflection on Aceh’s 20-year peace process and a reaffirmation of the collective commitment to achieving justice and guaranteeing the non-recurrence of human rights violations.
International experts participated in the discussion, including Mô Bleeker (Special Adviser on the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) to the United Nations Secretary-General), Somchai Homlaor (former commissioner, Thailand Truth and Reconciliation Commission), Cecilia Jimenez (former commissioner, Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Commision), Sumithra Sellathamby (former commissioner, Sri Lankan Office of Reparations), Joaquim A. Fonseca (Centro Nacional Chega, Timor-Leste), and Patrick Burgess (international transitional justice expert).
Peulara Damèe is more than a mere compilation of data. It functions as a collective memory of resilience and loss, documenting the stories of civilian homes repurposed into military posts and land scarred by violence. The Aceh TRC calls upon the international community to actively support the nurturing of peace in Aceh, advocate for justice, and ensure that truth is never silenced.