Considering the Feasibility of Suharto's Heroic Title: A Historical, Juridical Analysis, and the International Court of Justice Decision on the 1965-1966 PKI Massacre Tragedy

Authors

  • Dwi Yudha Saputro Magister Ilmu Hukum, Program Pascasarjana, Universitas Pamulang
  • Alfariji Alfariji Magister Ilmu Hukum, Program Pascasarjana, Universitas Pamulang
  • Novandrik Yeriko Sitorus Magister Ilmu Hukum, Program Pascasarjana, Universitas Pamulang

Keywords:

National Hero Title, Suharto, Tragedy 1965-1966, Human Rights Violations, International People's Court

Abstract

This study examines the feasibility of awarding the national hero title to Suharto according to the provisions of Law No. 20 of 2009 and Government Regulation No. 35 of 2010, the historical 1965- 1966 massacre tragedy, and the verdict of the International People's Court. The qualitative approach as the method with normative legal research and historical studies used. The study shows that the tragedy of 1965-1966 was a systematic larga scale of PKI members’ massacre and sympathizers without a fair judicial process. Suharto is the central of military command with significant responsibility for the crime. The 1965 International People's Court concluded that the Indonesian state was responsible for crimes against humanity, while supported by Komnas HAM report and international human rights institutions. The juridical analysis shows the mass murder is a despicable act that is different with the national hero conferment. The study concluded that Suharto did not require as a national hero with the gross human rights violations involvement that could not be erased by his services in other fields. The hero title to human rights violators disregard justice for victims and undermine Indonesia's commitment to the rule of law and human rights

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Published

2026-02-26