The Center for Legal Studies and Social Justice (LSJ) at the Faculty of Law, Gadjah Mada University, held the first session of its “Book Review Discussion Series: Listening to the Voices of Victims” on Thursday (September 14, 2023). This discussion series is a collaboration with the UGM Student Executive Board (BEM KM UGM), DEMA Justicia, and the Student Executive Board (LEM) of the Faculty of Forestry. Campus discussions such as this are also aligned with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4: quality education.
The book discussed at this event was “In Pursuit of Justice,” written by Andayani, the mother of Andi, who was wrongfully arrested in the Gedongkuning Klitih case. In addition to Andayani, there were three other speakers: Eko Prasetyo from the Social Movement Institute; Herlambang P. Wiratraman, a lecturer at the UGM Faculty of Law; and Arifin Setyo from the ARF Center for Law and Social Justice. During the discussion, many facts previously unknown to the public regarding irregularities in the handling of the Gedongkuning Klitih case were revealed. The speakers agreed that these irregularities in the judicial process constitute unconstitutional acts for which justice must be sought.
Herlambang, the speaker and Chair of the LSJ at the UGM Faculty of Law, stated, “This book is essential reading to awaken the ‘conscience’ that is part of every individual’s humanity, because if left unchecked, this nation will increasingly turn a blind eye to situations of arbitrariness and injustice, allowing them to become normalized.”
This discussion was deeply emotional, especially when facts that had not been revealed to the public were brought to light. The participants offered their full support to Andayani to continue fighting for her son’s rights, a case that has now reached the stage of judicial review. Community-led movements are also beginning to form to help monitor this case until it receives the justice it deserves.
Discussions like this aim to broaden perspectives on justice and human rights within the realm of education. As such, this discussion aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16: peace, justice, and strong institutions.
Author: LSJ
Editor: Public Relations
