Against the State's Single History: A Conversation with Indonesian Exiles

As part of the exhibition Lawan!, on show at Framer Framed from 12 to 21 September 2025, collective Watch65 presents Remembering and Solidarity-Making: 60 Years after 1965, a memorial exhibition in remembrance of 1965. On 19 September, as part of a one-day symposium, Indonesian exiles in the Netherlands come together to discuss their perspectives on the ongoing fight to achieve justice for the victims of mass atrocities committed by the Indonesian state across Indonesia in 1965 and 1966.

More than two decades after the fall of the Soeharto regime, the transitional justice agenda in Indonesia remains fraught with challenges. Despite the promises of Reformasi, there is still insufficient political will to address past human rights violations, including the anti-communist violence of 1965 and 1966. In this panel, a sub-group of victims – those forced into exile due to their supposed affiliation with the Indonesian Left – share their views, concerns and hopes for continued advocacy.

The panel elaborates on the exiles’ interpretations of what happened in 1965/1966 and explores the question of an official apology, why it is central to victims’ demands and why it matters to ongoing efforts towards truth and justice. Given the Indonesian state’s persistent failure to acknowledge past wrongs and accept responsibility, this struggle is likely to become intergenerational. The panel therefore also invites second- and third-generation family members to share their visions for future initiatives. The discussion also reflects on key milestones in Indonesia’s transitional justice landscape over the past decade, including the International People’s Tribunal (IPT) 1965, held in The Hague in 2015.

The panel features some of the remaining people in exile, including Mr. Sungkono, current chair of the exile association, Perhimpunan Persaudaraan, and Ms. Aminah, from Stichting Dian. Ms. Tatiana Lukman also joins as panelist. The panel is moderated by Dr. Ratna Saptari.

Register via the website of the University of Amsterdam.

About

Watch65 is a Netherlands-based voluntary association that is committed to the ongoing fight to uphold justice for the victims of gross violations of human rights in Indonesia. Founded in 2018, Watch65 brings together activists, writers, journalists, researchers and political exiles who participated as volunteers in the landmark International People’s Tribunal on Crimes Against Humanity in Indonesia 1965.

Remembering and Solidarity-Making: 60 years after 1965 is commissioned by Watch65 and co-produced by Watch65 and Framer Framed.