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TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - On Thursday afternoon, October 17, 2024, hundreds of people dressed entirely in black gathered across from the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, to participate in the final Kamisan Movement during President Joko Widodo or Jokowi’s office term. This action would also mark their last effort to address human rights violations through letters to the country’s leader.
Human rights activist and lawyer Asfinawati said the weekly movement would no longer be relevant given the soon-to-be-elected President Prabowo Subianto is suspected of human rights violations.
“It doesn't make sense for us to submit a letter to the President seeking resolution of human rights violations when the violator is the President himself,” said Asfinawati at the Kamisan Movement on Thursday, October 17, 2024.
The Kamisan Movement holds great significance for human rights activists, although many may be unfamiliar with its history. This article presents a brief overview of the Kamisan movement.
A Brief History of the Kamisan Movement
According to the journal article "Aktivisme Gerakan Aksi Kamisan Dalam Memperjuangkan Penyelesaian Hak Asasi Manusia" by Putra (2020), the Kamisan Movement is a collective action by activists advocating for the resolution of unresolved cases of human rights violations in Indonesia.
True to its name, "Kamisan" meaning Thursday in Indonesian, the movement takes place every Thursday afternoon from 4 to 5 p.m. local time in front of the presidential palace in Jakarta. Participants don all-black attire and hold black umbrellas, earning the movement the nickname "Black Umbrella Protest".
The Kamisan movement was initiated on January 18, 2004, by victims and families of past human rights violations, including the 1965-66 tragedy, the Semanggi I and II incidents, the Trisakti massacre, the May 1998 riots, the Talangsari Incident, the Tanjung Priok massacre, and the murder of Munir.
Prominent figures such as Maria Catarina Sumarsih, Suciwati, and Bedjo Untung from the "Jaringan Solidaritas Korban untuk Keadilan" (Network of Solidarity for Victims of Injustice) spearheaded the movement, inspired by the renowned "Mothers of Plaza de Mayo" demonstration led by Argentinian mothers.
On January 18, 2024, the Kamisan Movement commemorated its 17th anniversary with a gathering in front of the Presidential Palace in Central Jakarta. Participants wore their iconic all-black attire.
The Main Purpose of the Kamisan Movement
As mentioned earlier, the Kamisan movement's primary objective is to advocate for justice on behalf of victims of past human rights violations. Activists from multiple backgrounds unite to demand the resolution of these unresolved cases.
The official Instagram account of the Kamisan movement, @aksikamisan, emphasizes the movement’s mission to urge the government to address prominent human rights cases in Indonesia.
The Initiator of the Kamisan Movement
The Kamisan movement was led by a group of individuals, including Maria Catarina Sumarsih, Suciwati, and Bedjo Untung. These individuals are members of the "Jaringan Solidaritas Korban untuk Keadilan" (Network of Solidarity for Victims of Injustice).
As Tempo reported, Maria Catarina Sumarsih, familiarly known as Sumarsih, is the mother of Benardinus Realino Norma Irawan who was one of the victims in the Semanggi I incident. Even today, Sumarsih continues her unwavering pursuit of justice for the tragic loss of her son.
Suciwati, a human rights activist, was the spouse of Munir Said Thalib. She played a pivotal role in advocating for justice in the case of Munir's murder.
Alongside Sumarsih and Suciwati, Bejo Untung has been a consistent presence at every Kamisan event, representing the families of victims of the 1965 post-tragedy killings and unlawful arrests.
The Last Kamisan Movement
The 836th Kamisan Movement, held on Thursday, October 17, 2024, marked the conclusion of the movement during Jokowi's ten-year presidency. However, human rights activist and lawyer Asfinawati insisted that this final gathering would only be the end of one chapter and the beginning of another.
With the upcoming inauguration of the new President and Vice President of Indonesia on Sunday, she regarded Prabowo's presidency as a new era of democracy hijacking in the country.
“Crime is no longer on the sidelines, that crime does not sneak in at night,” she said. “But crime will be inaugurated openly as the top person in Indonesia's presidential system.”
During President Jokowi's administration, activists sent a total of 476 letters, surpassing the 339 letters sent during Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's ten-year presidency.
As President-elect Prabowo Subianto assumes office on October 20, activists will cease sending letters to the President demanding resolutions for human rights violations.
“Starting next Thursday, we will no longer send letters to the president,” said Sumarsih.
Editor's Choice: Activists of Kamisan Movement Will Not Send Letter to the President Anymore When Prabowo Leads Indonesia
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