Imagine if Indonesian history was only written from the perspective of and for the benefit of those in power. The stories of the victims, survivors and missing people would no longer be told. When the rulers publish an "official history", it is not impossible that the stories of the victims are considered "wild history".

Writing a revision of Indonesian history that omits gross human rights violations and erases the voices of the victims will justify crimes against humanity.

That is what will happen if we allow the government to manipulate history in a non-transparent manner.

All the academics, experts, activists and civil society coalitions that are members of the Indonesian Historical Transparency Alliance (AKSI) have stated that they reject the one-sided rewriting of history by the authorities that could silence the truth.

We reject this discourse because:

• The state has no right to give a single interpretation of history;
• History should provide equal space for those who are marginalised in society;
• Past gross human rights violations must continue to be revealed, voiced, remembered; and,
• An "official history" can be used to cover up past sins, dark events are at risk of being repeated.

History must be written openly and fairly. By adding your name to this petition, you have become part of the collective struggle to ensure that history is written honestly, fairly and in favour of the voices of the ordinary people, the voices of the victims, and the voices of the marginalised.

Do not let the state embezzle history simply for the sake of power.

Add your name now!

Learn more about AKSI's statement and position here (Bahasa Indonesia): https://www.amnesty.id/kabar-terbaru/pernyataan-sikap/manifesto-aliansi-keterbukaan-sejarah-indonesia-aksi/05/2025/

Read the full press release from AKSI here (Bahasa Indonesia): https://www.amnesty.id/kabar-terbaru/siaran-pers/aksi-tolak-proyek-penulisan-sejarah-resmi-indonesia/05/2025/

Indonesian Historical Transparency Alliance (AKSI)

Marzuki Darusman, Prof. Dr. Sulistyowati Irianto, Ita Fatia Nadia, MA. , Dr. Andi Achdian (historian), Prof. Dr. Asvi Warman Adam (historian), Prof. Dr. Harry, Truman Simanjuntak (archaeologist), KH. Imam Aziz (historian NU), Jalewari Primowardhani, M. Hum (Director Lab45), Usman Hamid, SH. LLM (Amnesty International Indonesia Executive Director), Pande K. Trimayuni, M. Sc (writer and researcher), Dr. Grace Leksana (Utrecht Universiteit), Dr. Ratna Hapsari. (Indonesian History Teachers Association), Amirrudin, SS. M. Hum (human rights activist), Astrid Reza, SS. (historian), M. Fauzi, SS. M. HUM (historian), Mike Verawati (Indonesian Women's Coalition chairperson), Iman Zanatul, SS,M. Hum (history teacher), Irene Purwantari, SS. (history researcher – ISSI), Razief, SS. M. Hum (historian – ISSI), Rumekso Setyadi, SS. M. Hum (historian), Uchikowati (1965 survivor), Dianah Kamilah (Indonesian Women's Coalition activist), Indria Fernida, M. Phil (Munir Human Rights Museum), Rosniati Aziz (Indonesian Women's Coalition activist), Nessa Theo, SS (historical art). 

Supporters

Bonnie Triyana, Hamid Basyaib, Andy Widjajanto, Rizal Mustary, Sandra Moniaga, Ruby Kholifah, Ika Ardina, Makmur Keliat, Dr. Hariyadi (Airlangga University, Unair), Yunarto Widjaja, Prof. Bambang Hudayana, Dr. Nur Fauzi Rachman, Prof. Dr. Melani Budianta, Saiful Mujani, Masruchah, I Gusti Agung Anom Astika, Dr. Martin Suryajaya, Alif Iman Nurlambang, Prof. Rosari Saleh (University of Indonesia, UI), Prof. Wahyudi Kumoro (Gaja Madah University, UGM), Prof. Maria W. Sumarjono (UGM), Prof. Teddy Prasetyono (UI), Dra. Agnes Purbasari,M. Si (UI), Dr. Karlina Supeli (Driyarkara School of Philosophy, STF), Prof. Marcus Priyo Gunarto (UGM), Alissa Wahid (Gusdurian), Dr. Iva Kasuma (UI), Butet Kertaredjasa (artist, Yogyakarta), Dr. Suparman Marzuki (Indonesian Islamic University, UII, Yogyakarta), Prof. Daldiyono (UI), Prof. Maneke Budiman (UI), Dr. Yance Arizona (UGM), Dr. Selly Riawaty (Padjadjaran University, Unpad), Dr. Doddy Ambardi (UGM), Judi Kristantini, Sunarman Sukamto, Yustitia Arief, Dr. Yanuar Nugroho, Dr. Zainal Arifin Mochtar (UGM), Dr. Arie Sujito. (UGM), Prof. Ery Seda (UI), Prof. Riris Sarumpaet (UI), Prof. Fathul Wahid (Rector UII, Yogyakarta), Ganjar B. Laksmana, SH. MH (UI), Dr. Mamik Sri Supatmi (UI), Prof. Mayling Oey-Gardiner (UI), Prof. Susi Harijanti (Unpad), Dr. Herlambang P. Wirataman (UGM), Dr. Fachrizal Affandi (Brawijaya University, Unibraw, Malang), Ayu Utami (author), Prof. Indang Trihandini (UI)

[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Dukung penulisan sejarah Indonesia yang transparan, jujur, dan adil!".]

Source: https://www.amnesty.id/kerja-amnesty/kampanye/petisi-aksi/