EARLY WARNING (INDONESIA): No more bloodshed in Aceh
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The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) is deeply concerned that the central government of Indonesia is considering the declaration of a military emergency in Aceh. Indonesia¡¯s chief security minister recently asked Parliament to support this declaration in Aceh.
We believe this decision will only worsen the situation, not solve the many problems of Aceh. The declaration of a military emergency would allow troops to search homes and detain suspects without any limits placed on their power. Therefore, we fear that even more serious human rights violations against innocent civilians will take place as a result. We have been informed of numerous cases in which both Indonesian soldiers and members of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) have burned homes and have arbitrarily arrested, tortured and killed innocent civilians.
We strongly urge the Indonesian government to abandon its intention to declare a state of emergency in Aceh and to respect the peace agreements signed in Geneva and to continue the peace process. There should be no more bloodshed in Aceh!
BACKGROUND
Acehnese guerrillas have been fighting Indonesian rule since the mid-1970s. One of their main complaints has been unfair taxation and representation, as well as the corruption and brutality of the security forces that have long occupied the province. Aceh has the size, wealth and natural resources to put it high in the ranks of Southeast Asian states.
It also has a population of 4.3 million people – 67 per cent of whom are farmers – being watched by around 60,000 Indonesian troops. The Acehnese have a long history of resistance, starting with the war against Dutch colonists, which lasted almost 70 years from 1873 and was the most expensive war, in terms of life and money, ever fought by the Dutch. More than 10,000 Dutch people died. After Indonesia declared its independence in 1945 the Aceh province joined the new nation and contributed to building the new country. But within a decade protests against regional profits being siphoned off to central government were increasing. In 1976 the nascent liberation movement declared independence for Aceh.
In came the Indonesian military. In 1989 repression began in earnest, with the Government declaring Aceh a military operation zone (DOM). The fall of President Suharto in 1998 after 31 years as president created an opportunity for the new government to rethink Aceh. President Habibie – a Suharto appointee and longtime crony – revoked the DOM status, visited the region and offered to investigate abuses. But nothing changed, and despite the recent revolving door of Indonesian administrations, the military still represses and murders, often out of Jakarta’s control. In November 1999 around 2 million people, almost half the Aceh population, gathered in the capital of Banda Aceh to support a referendum on independence.
In May 2000, the Indonesian Government and members of GAM (Gerakan Aceh, or Free Aceh Movement) agreed to a “humanitarian pause” in the fighting. While the Government acknowledged for the first time the Achenese desire for self- government, President Wahid noted darkly that Jakarta signed the agreement to end armed conflicts, so it should not be read as recognition of GAM. And so the killings go on.
(Provided by the New Zealand Herald)
The conflict between the central government of Indonesia and independence groups in Aceh has resulted in the death of more than 10,000 people. Of this total, 2,000 people have died in the past year with more than 500 people already killed in the conflict this year.
The two sides have held a series of peace talks, but no progress has been made. Similarly, various cease-fires have been reached, but they have never held.
The following is the joint statement signed by both sides in Geneva on May 10, 2002.
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On May 10, 2002, both sides issued the statement below in Geneva.
By the Government of the Republic of Indonesia and the Free Aceh Movement
Recognising that progress has been made in previous understandings, but also recognising the difficulties in implementing these understandings, the parties have agreed to the Points for Further Consultations set out in their 2-3 February 2002 meeting and further agree:
– on the basis of the acceptance of the NAD [Nanggroe Aceh Darrussalam] Law as a starting point, as discussed on 2-3 February 2002, to a democratic, all-inclusive dialogue involving all elements of Acehenese society that will be facilitated by HDC in Aceh. This progress will seek to review elements of the NAD Law through the statement of the views of the Acehenese people in a free and safe manner. This will lead to the election of a democratic government in Aceh, Indonesia.
– to enable this process to take [effect], both parties agree to work with all speed on an agreement on cessation of hostilities with an adequate mechanism for accountability of the parties to such an agreement. This will also provide the opportunity and environment for much needed socio-economic and humanitarian assistance to the people of Aceh.
Both parties agree to a process of periodic review of the implementation of these understandings.
Done in Switzerland on 10 May 2002
For the Government for the Leadership of the Republic of Indonesia and for the Free Aceh Movement
Signed: Amb. Mr. S. Wiryono / Signed: Dr. Zaini Abdullah
TWO APPEALS FROM THE INTERNATIONAL FORUM FOR ACEH (IFA) AND FORUM-ASIA
(You can use these appeals as a sample letter but do not send a copy to these organisations or AHRC.)
New York, July 9, 2002
Honourable Ibu Megawati Sukarnoputri
President of the Republic of Indonesia
Jakarta
Subject: Military Operation Not Going to Solve Problem in Aceh
Honourable Madam President,
We are writing this letter to you to express our deep concern about the possibility of your government deciding to step up military action in Aceh. The implementation of a state of military emergency will not solve the problem in Aceh but will instead disrupt the peace process and further alienate many ordinary Acehenese.
The people of Aceh have not forgotten the experience of military rule from 1989 to 1999 during which time more than 10,000 civilians were killed. The latest reports by reputable international agencies, such as the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) of the United Nations, and major Western news agencies have put the death toll at more than 500 since the beginning of this year. Any move, therefore, to declare a state of emergency would be extremely inappropriate and detrimental to the process of democratisation.
The International Forum for Aceh (IFA) opposes the proposed declaration of the state of military emergency for Aceh. We support the dialogue and peace process as the only proper way to solve the conflict in Aceh. We understand that Indonesian government and GAM negotiators have met several times in Geneva and have, in fact, signed several agreements to end the bloodletting in Aceh. Violence, however, has not only continued but has increased. We encourage both parties to respect the peace agreements already signed in Geneva. Your government, Madam President, must be serious, sincere and have good will in finding a peaceful and just solution to the conflict in Aceh. The dialogue process as both a confidence-building measure and a vehicle for a possible solution to the problems in Aceh must be pursued.
As a human rights organisation, the International Forum for Aceh has received numerous reports regarding the deteriorating situation over the last few months. Therefore, for the sake of humanity and the continuation of support of the peace process from the international community, we urgently request your consideration of the following demands:
1. withdraw troops from Aceh who are from other provinces and stop attempting to solve the conflict by military means;
2. engage seriously and sincerely in dialogue with GAM and include in such dialogue representatives from Acehenese civil society;
3. allow the presence of international observers and representatives of U.N. humanitarian agencies in Aceh;
4. establish a credible legal and independent inquiry team of human rights experts to investigate the involvement of state institutions in the violation of human rights in Aceh;
5. provide protection immediately to assure the security of Acehenese leaders, human rights defenders, humanitarian workers, civil society activists, student activists and journalists in accordance with the law, for it has become increasingly evident that these activists have suffered harassment, intimidation and arbitrary arrest at the hands of the security forces;
6. bring all of those responsible for human rights violations to trial.
Thank you for your kind consideration of our request, Madam President.
Respectfully yours,
Suraiya IT
Chairperson, International Forum for Aceh (IFA
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President Megawati Sukarnoputri
Presidential Palace, Jakarta
Istana Negara, Indonesia
July 8, 2002
Ref: Aceh: State of Emergency
Your Excellency,
The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (Forum-Asia) is deeply concerned over the Indonesian government’s recent move to declare a state of emergency in Aceh if approved by Parliament. Forum-Asia has been closely monitoring human rights violations in Aceh for many years and is strongly opposed to such a plan.
Forum-Asia believes that declaring a state of emergency will not solve any problem in Aceh. Instead, such a decision will only worsen the deplorable situation in Aceh, triggering more human rights violations to innocent civilians while at the same time discrediting Indonesia’s image with the international community. Forum-Asia strongly supports the idea for peace talks. However, we strongly advocate for the active involvement of civil society in a transparent peace-talk process.
To improve the lives of people inside Aceh, military operations by both sides must stop at once to allow humanitarian assistance to be delivered to Aceh to relieve the chronic situation of its internally displaced people (IDPs) and innocent civilians. Only in this way will the confidence of the Acehenese people be restored.
We sincerely hope that the Indonesian government will take our concerns seriously into consideration by abandoning its move to declare a state of emergency in Aceh. We urge the Indonesian government and GAM to declare a cease-fire at once to allow humanitarian aid to reach the people of Aceh and to rekindle the peace-talk process.
Yours sincerely,
Somchai Homlaor
Secretary-General
ACTION REQUESTED
Please send your letter to Indonesia’s president, Megawati Sukarnoputri, and the chairperson of Parliament, H. Akbar Tandjung, to urge them to abandon the move to declare a military emergency in Aceh and instead to continue to have dialogue and to support the peace process.
SEND LETTERS TO:
1. Mrs. Megawati Sukarnoputri
President, Republic of Indonesia
Presidential Palace, Jakarta
Istana Negara,
INDONESIA
Fax: +62 21 345-7782
2. Ir. H. Akbar Tandjung
Chairperson of Parliament
Jl. Jendral Gatot, Soebroto No. 6,
Senayan, Jakarta 10270
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 572-5965/571-5644/571-5268
And send copies of the letter to:
1. Mr. Kofi Annan
Secretary-General
United Nations Room S-3800
New York NY 10017
U.S.A.
Fax: +1 212 963 4879/2155
E-mail: ecu@un.org
2. Mrs. Mary Robinson
High Commissioner for Human Rights.
OHCHR-UNOG
8-14 Avenue de la Paix
1211 Geneva 10,
Switzerland
Fax: +41 22 917 9012
E-mail: webadmin.hchr@unog.ch
[PLEASE MARK: ATTENTION – HIGH COMMISSIONER MARY ROBINSON]
3. Mr. Asmara Nababan
Secretary General
Komnas HAM (National Commission for Human Rights)
Jl. Latuharhary No. 4B Menteng
Jakarta Pusat INDONESIA
FAX: (62 21) 392 5227
EMAIL: info@komnas.go.id
