Mourners Mark 20th Anniversary of Bali Bombings

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Facts

  • On Wednesday, survivors and grieving families marked the 20th anniversary of the 2002 Bali, Indonesia, bombing by an Al-Qaeda-linked group that claimed 202 lives. Convicted bombmaker Umar Patek is being considered for early release, though authorities have held off freeing him before the memorial.
  • On Oct. 12, 2002, a car bomb exploded outside the Sari Club in the Kuta Beach area of the resort island. Another bomb simultaneously exploded across the street at Paddy's Bar.
  • The attack killed vacation-goers from more than 20 countries, with 88 Australian citizens representing the single largest group of deceased victims. Australia’s PM Anthony Albanese attended a separate memorial service held in Sydney on Wednesday.
  • In Bali, the Australian consulate organized a vigil attended by Australia’s ambassador to Indonesia and the assistant minister for foreign affairs. Survivors and relatives of the victims observed a moment of silence before laying flowers at the memorial garden.
  • Thiolina Marpaung, a victim of the attack who helped organize the memorial, said “It's okay that some people have forgotten what happened 20 years ago but there are still real victims, [and] there are children who lost their parents in the bombing...I don't want them to be forgotten.”
  • Following the attacks, Indonesia, Australia, and the US launched an elite anti-terrorism unit called "Special Detachment," or "Densus 88," that weakened the jihadist network Jemaah Islamiyah which was blamed for the attack. Densus 88 arrested and killed many suspected militants, including those associated with the network.

Sources: Al Jazeera, Reuters, Jakarta Post, Scmp, France24, and Tuoitre.

Narratives

  • Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by UNODOC. The Indonesian government launched an extensive effort to combat terrorism following the 2002 bombing. Since that time, it has continuously expanded and improved upon its counter-terrorism initiatives. The national police have successfully taken down several terrorist networks within the country and will continue to do so through its strengthened counter-terror unit. Indonesia has also made significant progress in ending separatist conflicts in Aceh and Papua.
  • Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by Gren Left. While nothing excuses the tragic 2002 bombing, ironically, Indonesia’s military and other security forces were responsible for horrific levels of violence, including the torture and murder of hundreds of thousands of leftists, with training and support provided by the US, UK, and Australia in the 1960s. Terrorism committed by non-state actors must be seen in the wider context of state terror, which is responsible for the death of far more people.
  • Narrative C, as provided by NPR Online News. Indonesia's consideration to release Umar Patek after only 10 years is outrageous. This would cause further distress for the survivors and victims’ families and doesn’t reflect the gravity of his crimes. Australia has provided substantial aid and support to Indonesia over the years - the Indonesian government should consider this when making judicial decisions that impact Australian citizens.