Please send protest emails to your local Indonesian diplomatic mission.
This latest wave of repression is yet more evidence of Indonesian
violations of the Dec 10 ceasefire agreement.
MEDIA RELEASE *** MEDIA RELEASE *** MEDIA RELEASE *** MEDIA RELEASE
ACEH: THE OIL WAR NEXT DOOR
Arrests and attacks expose sham of Indonesia�s commitment to peace
process
Over the past week in Aceh, Indonesia has repeatedly violated the
December 10 Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (COHA), arresting civil
movement activists and carrying out military offensives.
According to Pip Hinman, national coordinator of Action in Solidarity
with Asia and the Pacific (ASAP), this is because Indonesia is not
serious about peace in Aceh.
�Aceh is an oil- and gas-rich province�, said Hinman. �For years, the
Indonesian military has built a mini-empire with the help of
Exxon-Mobil, which runs these lucrative resource industries there.
�The military has shared in the spoils and need to justify their
presence in Aceh to continue their profiteering.�
At 1.30am, on February 12, Indonesian forces arrested Muhammad Nazar,
the chairperson of the Information Centre for a Referendum in Aceh
(SIRA), at his home. Authorities are also hunting down Kautsar, deputy
chairperson of Students� Solidarity for Acehnese People (SMUR). On
February 16 police issued an arrest warrant for Nasruddin Abubakar,
secretary general of the Aceh Student Front for Reform (FARMIDIA).
All three activists are from the non-violent, civil movement. They are
targeted for leading a peaceful demonstration on January 9, which called
for a referendum on the question of Acehnese independence.
On February 15, Indonesia�s Coordinating Minister for Political and
Security Affairs, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, was quoted by the The
Straits Times as stating, �Peace is on the brink of collapse�. He cited
the referendum call as the cause, despite the COHA assuring the right of
�civil society to express without hindrance their democratic rights�.
Then on February 16, an armed clash lasting almost four hours occurred
in Trumon, south Aceh, when Indonesian military (TNI) launched an
offensive operation into an area held by the Free Acheh Armed Forces
(TNA), again in violation of the peace accord. During the skirmish, one
civilian was shot dead, another wounded and three captured and tortured
by the Indonesian military.
TNI reinforcements have been sent to Trumon in armoured vehicles. There
are fears of wider military offensives. A TNA commander has called on
the Joint Security Committee (JSC) to investigate the Trumon attack.
The JSC oversees the COHA and is composed of representatives from the
Free Aceh Movement (GAM), the TNI and the Swiss-based Centre for
Humanitarian Dialogue, which brokered the ceasefire.
Despite such violations of peace in Aceh, both the US and Australian
governments have been steadily restoring military ties with Jakarta.
Earlier this month, the US Congress voted to fully restore the
International Military Education Training program for Indonesian
officers, paving the way for a resumption of military ties across the
board. Supporting politicians cited the need for Jakarta�s cooperation
in the �war on terror�.
ASAP calls on the Australian government to press Jakarta for the
immediate release of Muhammad Nazar and the dropping of all charges
against organisers of the January 9 demonstration. Further, the Howard
government must end all military ties with Indonesia and push for a full
withdrawal of the TNI from Aceh.
ACEH: VOICES OF PEACE
with Dr Lesley McCulloch, recently released from 5 months prison in Aceh
Nurdin Abdul Rahman, twice imprisoned veteran human rights campaigner
Sydney: 6.30pm, Friday, Mar 14, Newtown Neighbourhood Centre (across
from Newtown station).
Melbourne: 6.30pm, Thursday, Mar 20, New Ballroom, Trades Hall, corner
Lygon & Victoria Streets, Carlton.
FOR INTERVIEWS & ENQUIRIES:
Pip Hinman 0412 139 968, Iggy Kim 0421 322 175
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