The Non-Truth: Accounts of the Indonesian Political Exiles in Europe

The Non-Truth: Accounts of the Indonesian Political Exiles in Europe by Dr Soe Tjen Marching was recorded on 25th October 2022. Further details: https://www.soas.ac.uk/about/e....vent/non-truth-accou

This seminar will discuss Indonesian political exiles (in relation to the 1965 genocide in Indonesia) who now reside in Europe. “Truth and reconciliation” have become very important notions in confronting issues relating to manipulated history and human rights abuses in the context of the 1965 genocide. Many activists in Indonesia have emphasised that reconciliation will not take place without recognition of the truth. However, interviews carried out by Dr. Marching concerning the events of 1965 in Indonesia revealed many inconsistencies in respective accounts of the genocide. Does this phenomenon confirm the postmodern theory that "there is no truth"? And if there is no truth, how do we approach the activists’ and survivors’ demands for the truth?