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Bowen, John. The Search for New Sources of Legitimacy in Indonesia after Suharto

After an aborted communist coup in 1965 in Indonesia, General Suharto came to power in 1966-1967. This led to a period of violence and mass human rights violations in Indonesia. Over the decades a certain stability and growth also occurred, but accompanying them were political oppression and corruption. Suharto's rule ended in 1998 after protests and violence against his regime. This has led to more unrest, violence, and human rights violations in Indonesia. As John Bowen comments, Indonesia after Suharto seems plagued by both a massive failure of social order and a severe crisis of political legitimacy. The two are linked for, despite Suharto's slogan of a "New Order," he failed, among other things, to create a legitimate and effective legal system. Against this background, Bowen explores current debates within Indonesia about the legitimacy of various legal and political responses to the crisis. Proposed responses include tribunals to deal with crimes under Suharto, reforms in the justice system, and a devolution of power to local authorities. Bowen pays particular attention to potential tensions between two types of demands: one for a more effective and impartial nation-wide legal system; and the other for greater regional autonomy and recognition of ethnic and religious communities' rights.

von Benda-Beckmann, Keebet. Law, Violence and Peace Making on the Island of Ambon

The island of Ambon is in Molucca province in Indonesia. In January 1999 a fight occurred between a Christian taxi driver and a Muslim youth or youths. While similar fights were not uncommon, they usually cooled down soon. This one did not; rather the fight led to wider conflict. Thus began a long period of intense ethnic-religious fighting and rioting that became a virtual civil war, with much destruction of property and loss of life across Ambon and a set of neighboring islands. Many have attempted to establish peace and a measure of reconciliation. These include religious leaders (both Christian and Moslem), local leaders, influential intellectuals, and high politicians. None have succeeded as of yet. In this context, Keebet von Benda-Beckmann surveys the peace-making process. Admittedly this is speculative, as peace has not been established. Yet von Benda-Beckmann aims in this chapter to contribute to understanding the causes of the conflict and the strengths and challenges of the ongoing peace process in Ambon.

Ruth-Heffelbower, Duane. Indonesia: Restorative Justice for Healing a Divided Society

The modern Restorative Justice (RJ) movement began in North America as an approach to crime, and in New Zealand as an approach to child welfare issues. Both were based on the communal experience familiar to villagers worldwide. Societies which cannot afford to lock up those who violate societal norms have traditionally used restorative methods to return people to productive life in the community. Over the past 20 years or so certain principles of restorative justice have been recognized. These principles have been applied to criminal behavior, child welfare, school discipline, personnel management, and other areas of human interaction. In this paper the author explores the use of these principles for healing a large and deeply divided society, the country of Indonesia. The paper uses theory developed through years of practical application, and examines current efforts to apply the principles to various aspects of Indonesia's crises.

Peacemaking in Indonesia

In 1999, Duane Ruth-Heffelbower took a leave of absence from his graduate faculty position at Fresno Pacific University’s Center for Peacemaking and Conflict Studies to accept an invitation to join the faculty of Duta Wacana Christian University (UKDW) in Yogyakarta, Indonesia under an appointment from the Mennonite Central Committee.