KI protest, courtesy of Watch65 17 Sep 2025
14:00 - 17:00
Cross-border Solidarity: The Case of Komitee Indonesië
As part of the exhibition Lawan!, on show at Framer Framed from 12 to 21 September 2025, collective Watch65 presents Remembering and Solidarity-Making: 60 Years after 1965, a memorial exhibition in remembrance of 1965. On 17 September, a rough-cut screening of a Watch65 documentary film on Komitee Indonesië (1968-2000) is presented, followed by a panel discussion on the work and legacy of the committee.
The programme opens with a rough-cut screening of Watch65’s in-progress documentary on Komitee Indonesië, highlighting its solidarity-building and its efforts to raise awareness among Dutch publics of postcolonial violence in Indonesia under Soeharto’s rule. Komitee Indonesië reported on the mass atrocities committed against leftist supporters in 1965/66 and the plight of political prisoners denied a fair trial; opposed Dutch arms trade with Indonesia and development aid channelled via IGGI (the Netherlands-chaired Inter-Governmental Group on Indonesia, which coordinated foreign aid); and campaigned against the military occupation of East Timor while supporting its struggle for independence.
The first half of the panel is retrospective: it discusses the group’s endeavours, impact and embeddedness in a specific historical era. The second half opens up to the audience to think together about contemporary solidarity, about today’s tools and methods of resistance, and about the challenges facing decolonising movements now.
Three former coordinators of the Komitee Indonesië – Welmoed Koekebakker, Yvette Lawson and Fridus Steijlen (emeritus professor of postcolonial migration, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam) – reunite to reflect on their time with the solidarity group and compare notes on its struggles and accomplishments. Also joining the panel are Gde Arka and Jarna Mansur, Indonesian exiles who volunteered for Komitee Indonesië. The talk is moderated by Prof. Ward J. Berenschot.
Register via the website of the University of Amsterdam.
About
Watch65 is a Netherlands-based voluntary association that is committed to the ongoing fight to uphold justice for the victims of gross violations of human rights in Indonesia. Founded in 2018, Watch65 brings together activists, writers, journalists, researchers and political exiles who participated as volunteers in the landmark International People’s Tribunal on Crimes Against Humanity in Indonesia 1965.
Remembering and Solidarity-Making: 60 years after 1965 is commissioned by Watch65 and co-produced by Watch65 and Framer Framed.
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Collectives / Diaspora / Indonesia / Colonial history / Art and Activism /
Exhibitions
Exhibition: Lawan!
An exhibition that brings attention to the legacies of post-colonial imperialist expansion in the Indonesian archipelago and West Papua
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