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Layanan Informasi Aktual
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CRISIS CENTRE DIOCESE OF AMBOINA
Jalan Pattimura 32 - Ambon 97124 - Indonesia
Tel 0062 (0)911 342195   Fax 0062 (0)911 355337
E-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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Ambon, September 11, 2002
THE SITUATION IN AMBON / MOLUCCAS - Report No. 317

1.       GENERAL SITUATION IN AMBON - We are most fortunate that the Kulur
killings and the violent reaction of a Muslim mob lynching a Christian taxi
driver, up to now have not led to renewed strife. Muslims and Christians
still meet one another at certain sites, such as several markets and stores.
However, Christians are still afraid to pass through the Batumerah and
Galunggung areas. Some Muslims also advise us - just to be sure - not to
board speedboats to the village of Passo. By the way, today two unexploded
bombs were found at a common "Baku Bae" market place and consequently
secured by the military.

2.       VOICE OF THE CONCERNED WOMEN - In Report No. 136, February 10, 2001
we reported rather elaborately on the "Gerakan Perempuan Peduli" (Concerned
Women's Organization). On several subsequent occasions we reported on their
activities. Now in the wake of recent dismal events, these women cannot keep
silent, so to all local newsmedia they have sent a clear statement, signed
by their Protestant, Muslim and Catholic leaders, titled:

VOICING WOMEN'S CONCERN:

(1)    We, the Concerned Women's Movement, want to express our innermost
concern and genuine grief in connection with a number of acts of violence
that again happened in and around Ambon. For up to now it has always been
the unguilty, common civilian that is being victimized, including women and
children.
(2)    Most of the victims of bomb blasts (at Mardika and the Lapangan
Merdeka field), of gunfire (village of Kulur on Saparua), of exploding land
mines (Waiheru, Suli, Galala, Porto), lynching by masses (Galunggung) are
women and children. This fact is bewildering us. And we cannot but ask this
question: To what end common civilians, and most of all women and innocent
children, are being sacrificed? Has this nation's morale sunk that low? Is
not one of the five pillars of our nation, as laid down in the "Pancasila"
that we are so proud of: "Just and Respectful Humanitarianism"? If all these
wrongdoings are meant to provoke the masses in order to resuscitate another
round of interreligious conflict, we feel most sorry for those who are their
mastermind and executioners, as they canniot be looked upon any longer as
human beings, since there is no man without sense of what is right and what
is wrong.
(3)    We heard the military XVI Pattimura chief commander say that the
violence in the Moluccas follows a five to six months' cyclus. Sure, we are
fortunate that you perceive this tendency. But, please, allow us to ask
then: why do not you as the chief commander bring your forces in full alert
in order to forestall such explosions of violence? Do not you have plenty of
personnel? Are not they specialists in matters of security? So why does this
slaughtering of innocent people go on and on?
(4)    We are still convinced that the military and police forces have the
needed strength. So let not the trust of the people in both forces been
shaken by the pervertedness of a bunch of criminals that butcher people who
rightly expect to be protected under the wings of the military and police.
(5)    We call upon the whole population of the Moluccas, both Muslims and
Christians: don't let yourselves been used by anyone to commit any crimes
towards your fellow human beings, for this is not acceptable before God.
(6)    Thus we voice our concern. We see no other way any more what to do
but urgently beseeching the government, in this case the Civil Emergency
Administrator and the Security Forces, to mobilize your utmost care and
concern towards the safety of the numerous people in our area.

Ambon, September 10, 2002
The Concerned Women's Organization
Signed: Mrs. M.M. Hendriks - Mrs. Lela Suat - Sister Brigitta Renyaan PBHK

Translation: C.J.Böhm msc

Here follows the original text in Indonesian:
SUARA KEPRIHATINAN KAUM PEREMPUAN

(1)     Kami Gerakan Perempuan Peduli dengan ini menyatakan keprihatinan
yang dalam dan penyesalan yang sungguh terhadap berbagai peristiwa kekerasan
yang kembali terjadi di Ambon dan sekitarnya. Sebab selama ini rakyat kecil
yang tidak berdosalah yang dijadikan korban, termasuk kaum perempuan dan
anak-anak.
(2)     Korban akibat ledakan born (di Mardika, Lapangan Merdeka), akibat
tembakan senapan standar (desa Kulur), akibat ledakan ranjau (di Waiheru,
Suli, Galala, Porto ), akibat kekerasan massa (di Galunggung) sebagian
besarnya adalah kaum perempuan dan anak-anak. Kami bingung dengan kenyataan
ini. Pertanyaan kami adalah, untuk tujuan apakah rakyat kecil apalagi kaum
perempuan dan anak-anak yang tidak berdosa dibantai? Sudah separah itukah
moral bangsa ini? Di manakah peri kemanusiaan yang adil dan beradab yang
merupakan salah satu sila dari Pancasila, dasar negara Indonesia, yang kita
banggakan itu? Kalau tujuannya untuk memprovokasi massa agar konflik kembali
meledak di Maluku, maka kami merasa kasihan dengan para perancang dan
pelakunya, sebab mereka bukan lagi manusia karena tidak ada manusia tanpa
nurani.
(3)     Kami mendengar pernyataan Bapak Pangdam XVI Pattimura, bahwa
kekerasan di Ma1uku ini punya siklus 5-6 bulan dan kami bergembira bahwa
Bapak Pangdam telah melihat kecenderungan itu. Tetapi kami bertanya kenapa
Pak Pangdam tidak menyiagakan aparat keamanan di daerah ini untuk
mengantisipasi ledakan kekerasan tersebut? Bukankah jumlah personil aparat
keamanan di daerah ini cukup banyak dan mereka punya keah1ian khusus di
bidang keamanan? La1u kenapa pembantaian terhadap rakyat yang tidak berdosa
terus berlangsung?
(4)     Kami yakin TNI dan POLRI masih sangat kuat. Oleh karena itu jangan
biarkan kepercayaan rakyat terhadap TNI dan POLRI goyah karena setiap kali
kecolongan oleh ulah para penjahat yang membantai rakyat yang seharusnya
berada di bawah naungan TNI dan POLRI.
(5)     Kami menghimbau semua masyarakat Maluku, yang Muslim maupun yang
Kristen, untuk jangan memberi diri digunakan oleh siapapun juga untuk
melakukan kejahatan kepada sesamanya manusia, sebab hal ini tidak direstui
oleh Allah.
(6)     Demikianlah suara keprihatinan kami sebab kami tidak tahu lagi apa
yang harus karni lakukan selain meminta dengan sangat kepedulian Pemerintah
cq Penguasa Darurat Sipil dan aparat keamanan terhadap keselamatan  rakyat
banyak di daerah ini.

Ambon, 10 September 2002
Gerakan Perempuan Peduli
(ttd)  Ny. M.M. Hendriks,  Ny. Lela Suat,  Sr. Brigitta Renyaan PBHK

Reported by C.J.Böhm msc, Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina


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