Support Humanity Fund for Peace and Justice

Indonesia untuk Kemanusiaan (IKa) organized the Cross-Generational Forum from August 8 to 10, 2023, inviting 2 consortium partners, Sekber'65 and PBH Nusra, along with volunteer companions from each region, Surakarta and East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).

Moreover, the forum was attended by young people from Jakarta, Cilacap, Tangerang, Tanjung Priok, and Bekasi, addressing the issues of the 65/66 and the May 1998 tragedies. The Cross-Generational forum, which brought together young people and elderly survivors, marked the culmination of the two-year "Voice" program. The theme or tagline of this Voice program was #BetterTogether, signifying that collaborative human rights efforts are far more effective, as they pertain to the fulfillment of socio-economic rights for the ‘65 survivors, involving cross-generational participation.

Two years may not be a short period, yet it isn't an extensive stretch of time either. However, there have been notable changes felt by each party involved. The occurrence of this Cross-Generational event has demonstrated that not everyone comprehends the incidents of severe human rights violations that took place in Indonesia. Nevertheless, these young individuals are willing and consciously engaged in being a part of the struggle to advocate for human rights justice, as articulated by Isnur, one of the speakers at the event. He stated, "The changes or efforts that have been made by various groups are a result or response from the government, such as the Presidential Instruction (INPRES). It is not solely provided by the government, but rather the result of the continuous efforts of the victims and accompanying individuals." Muhammad Isnur, the Chairman of YLBHI, emphasized the persistent endeavors made by those involved.

Learning about human rights is not an easy task; it requires a significant amount of time to truly comprehend. This was exemplified in the Cross-Generational Forum. All participants from various organizations and communities were encouraged to reflect on the past 10 years of their journey in resolving cases of past severe human rights violations. They delved into a range of issues, from previous cases of severe human rights violations that have been the focus of attention to the enduring dreams that are still nurtured to this day.

There was a poignant moment when the elderly survivors sat together, showing compassion to one another. They shared a message, entrusting the baton of justice and human rights to the younger generation, along with various efforts and strategies that could be pursued both within the realm of the state and society. This included advocating for the government to establish a more valid historical curriculum and pushing for the government's ratification of the convention on enforced disappearances, which is currently held up in the Parliament.

Efforts within the societal domain involved safeguarding communities from extremist ideologies through the promotion of human rights awareness. This entailed amplifying campaign strategies and engaging the youth in advocating for the rights of victims within human rights movements. Additionally, efforts in supporting the victims centered around creating more spaces for intergenerational discussions, providing capacity-building opportunities for the youth, and families of the victims alike.

The Cross-Generational Forum left a lasting impression on both the young and the elderly participants. Blending together, each organization showcased that the compassion demonstrated by the youth was rooted in genuine empathy, not just fleeting sympathy. The elderly felt acknowledged and heard, their long-held concerns and desires given the attention they deserved. Genuine smiles, expressions of gratitude, and heartfelt thanks were exchanged, accompanied by tears of comfort. They felt secure and at ease as they shared their stories.

The closure of the event culminated in the #BetterTogether expression stage, where individuals and groups showcased their talents through dance performances, poetry recitals, heartfelt singing, joyous dancing together, and even monologues. Gratitude was extended to Voice for the support extended to IKa and consortium partners like Sekber'65 and PBH Nusra. This closing event stands as tangible documentation that the three-day cross-generational gathering serves as one of the means to advocate for justice concerning past severe human rights violations, with the active participation of both survivors and their companions.