Jakarta, 17 February 2025 – The Coalition for Justice and Truth (KKPK) strongly condemns the budget cuts imposed by the Prabowo-Gibran administration, which have severely impacted the fulfillment of rights for victims of gross human rights violations. These budget reductions, enacted through Presidential Instruction (Inpres) No. 1 of 2025 on Spending Efficiency in the Implementation of the 2025 State and Regional Budgets, have had serious consequences for key institutions responsible for the protection and fulfillment of victims’ rights. These include the Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK), the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM), and the National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan).
The direct consequences of these cuts are already being felt by victims across Indonesia, eroding their trust and hope in the government while exposing the state’s failure to uphold its obligations. The impact is widespread, with several cases documented by KKPK, including:
- Yogyakarta, Special Region of Yogyakarta: Victims of the 1965 atrocities, who were verified by Komnas HAM and received the Green Book from LPSK, are now unable to access the medical assistance previously covered by the state. Hospitals that previously partnered with LPSK are now refusing treatment due to budget constraints. Some victims who have already undergone medical procedures are now forced to bear the costs themselves.
- Solo, Central Java: Budget cuts have prevented Komnas HAM from conducting field verification of victims and issuing Certificates of Gross Human Rights Violation Victim Status (SKKPHAM), an essential document that represents state recognition of the victims’ conditions.
- Greater Jakarta Area: Organizations assisting victims have been waiting for over six months for Komnas HAM to verify the cases they support, including victims of the May 1998 riots, the Tanjung Priok massacre, enforced disappearances, and other human rights victims.
- Pidie, Aceh: Victims in Aceh face uncertainty due to budget cuts that hinder coordination between institutions in Jakarta and the Aceh Truth and Reconciliation Commission (KKR Aceh) for victim verification and follow-up recommendations from Aceh TRC reports. Additionally, there is a lack of transparency regarding the management of the Living Park recently built in Pidie, further exacerbates the issue of meaningful participation from victims and advocates. Victims demand that their narratives be properly represented within the park as a vital part of remembrance, historical education, and conflict prevention. However, the park remains inaccessible, failing to serve its intended purpose.
- Palu, Central Sulawesi: The budget for verifying victims in Central Sulawesi—a crucial step for them to access reparation services provided by the provincial government—has been entirely eliminated.
Furthermore, the advocacy efforts to ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (ICPPED) have also been affected. With limited support from Komnas HAM and Komnas Perempuan due to budget constraints, progress toward ratification—which is essential to prevent future enforced disappearances—has stalled.
KKPK firmly asserts that government budget efficiency must not come at the cost of victims’ rights. The state has an obligation to ensure that services for victims remain available. Policies that strip away victims’ access to justice amount to systematic neglect by the government. Decades of progress in victim recognition and reparations mechanisms—established since the Reformation era through both local and national initiatives—are now being dismantled in the name of budget efficiency, putting a nail in the coffin of the already decade-long suffering of victims.
Therefore, we demand that:
- The government immediately revokes or revises budget cut policies that impact institutions responsible for upholding the rights of human rights violation victims;
- Komnas HAM, LPSK, and Komnas Perempuan receive sufficient funding to fulfill their mandates, including verification processes, medical and psychosocial services, legal aid, and pro-justitia investigations by Komnas HAM.
- Komnas HAM, LPSK, and Komnas Perempuan act prudently in responding to budget cuts, ensuring that the rights of victims of gross human rights violations remain a priority.
- The government upholds its duty to fulfill victims’ rights, maintaining its commitment of previous policies and taking concrete steps to ensure continuity.
- The House of Representatives (DPR RI), particularly Commission XIII, conducts strict oversight of the impact of budget cuts on human rights progress in Indonesia, especially in ensuring justice for victims of massive human rights violations.
We call on civil society, victims, and their families to continue speaking out and demanding state accountability. Budget efficiency must not be used as an excuse to deny justice to the victims in Indonesia.
The Coalition for Justice and Truth or Koalisi Keadilan dan Pengungkapan Kebenaran (KKPK) is an alliance of organizations and individuals committed to human rights advocacy and holding the state accountable for gross human rights violations. Established in 2008, KKPK upholds the values of diversity, transparency, accountability, and democracy. The coalition operates based on principles of equality, solidarity, impartiality/non-partisanship, dialogue, and learning from past experiences.
For more insights, read the Executive Summary of KKPK’s 2015 report, Menemukan Kembali Indonesia (Rediscovering Indonesia):
https://asia-ajar.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/2.-RINGKASAN-EKSEKUTIF-Menemukan-Kembali-Indonesia.pdf