Indonesians have never stopped talking about 1965 – the world should listen

Escalated media interest in the Indonesia purges of 1965-6 has largely ignored Indonesians’ own efforts to bear oral and written witness to the past

No doubt about it, the forced cancellations of activities related to the 1965-6 mass violence in Indonesia at the recent Ubud writers and readers festivalhave escalated international media interest in this period of Indonesia’s history. This, despite the fact that the 50th anniversary of the start of this violence, 1 October, passed by with relatively little comment. Unfortunately, recent reportage has largely ignored Indonesians’ own efforts to address this past.

Related: Indonesia is still afraid to look into the mirror and face its bloody past

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