8 MARCH 2000: Five student activists and their driver were arrested in East Aceh as they were returning from a meeting in Lhokseumawe. Their precise whereabouts is currently unknown, but they are probably being held by the security forces in Idi Cut.
AHRC has received reliable information from the British-based Indonesia Human Rights Campaign on those who were arrested. The five students are all members of FARMIDIA, the Reform Action Forum of Muslim Students in Aceh. They are:
1. Efendi Hasan, president of the BEMA, the Students Executive Board at IAIN Ar Raniry (Islamic university).
2. Ridwan M. a student of Syariah law at IAIN Ar.Raniry, who is on the supervisory board of BEMA.
3. Amri, a student of Syariah law at IAIN Ar Raniry, head of the research council of BEMA.
4. Zulkarnaen, a student of IAIN Ar Raniry, head of the students welfare department of BEMA.
5. Abdul Manaf, a student of Islamic law at IAIN Ar Raniry, deputy head of the development strategy department of BEMA.
The sixth man is Suparmin, who was driving the vehicle and is on the staff of IAIN Ar Raniry.
At least one of the six, Ridwan M., is already reported to have been severely maltreated, and grave fears are held for the safety of all of the six detainees.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION;
Amnesty International has recently released two notices of disappearances, both on 3 March 2000, of 3 men taken by the police mobile brigade (Brimob) and the Tentara Nasional Indonesia (TNI), Indonesian National Army.
Fears for the safety of those who disappear at the hands of the Indonesian and Aceh Police security forces were heightened when two men who \”disappeared\” from Paya Beurandeng village, Tanah Luas Sub-district, North Aceh, in the early hours of 27 February (reportedly taken by the TNI) were found dead [the names of the deceased are M. Radam and Usman Jaban]. The security forces are clearly using sweeping arrests, secret detention and killings as a deterrant against political activity and involvement in Aceh. Amnesty International has received unconfirmed reports that some 179 people have been killed in Aceh already since the bginning of this year.
ACTION REQUESTED:
Please send polite faxes and airmail letters, preferably in Bahasa Indonesia or English:
– alerting the authorities of your fears for the safety and security of the six men in East Aceh, given the recent killings of others who have \”disappeared\” or been arrested for political activity
– requesting an impartial and immediate investigation into the \”disappearance\” and killings of M. Radan and Usman Jaban in February 2000
– urging the authorities to issue immediate instructions to the security forces to halt all arbitrary arrests and detentions, torture and ill-treatment, \”disappearances\” and unlawful killings, creating an atmosphere of insecurity and fear.
– requesting they ensure that all security operations in Aceh are carried out in line with international human rights standards.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS TO (please note that fax numbers are difficult to obtain and several attempts may be necessary in order to get through):
Dr Juwono Sudarsono
Minister of Defence and Security
(Menteri Pertahanan dan Keamanan)
Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat No.13-14
Jakarta Pusat 10110
Indonesia
Telegrams: Dr Juwono Sudarsonso, Menteri Pertahanan Dan Keamanan, Jakarta, Indonesia
Faxes: + 62 21 381-4535 or 384-5178
Salutation: Dear Minister
Brig. Gen. Bachrumsyah Kasman
Chief of Police for Aceh (Kapolda Aceh)
Jl Cut Nyak Dien
Banda Aceh
Aceh
Indonesia
Telegrams: Kapolda Aceh, Banda Aceh, Indonesia
Salutation: Dear Brigadier General
COPIES TO:
Mr Hasballah M. Saad
State Minister for Human Rights Affairs
Jl Kuningan Timur M 2/5
Jakarta 12950
Indonesia
Faxes: + 62 21 525 0075 / 525 0139
And to diplomatic representatives of Indonesia accredited to your country.
