Komnas HAM to probe Aceh violations<\/p>\n
Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) said on
\nMonday it would investigate over 20 cases of alleged rights
\nviolations in Aceh during the first two weeks of military
\noperations in the province.<\/p>\n
The commission said the cases involved civilians in the
\nprovince and included murder, sexual harassment, rape and forced
\ndisplacement.<\/p>\n
It said more investigation of the cases was needed, although
\nit had obtained leads on possible perpetrators based on
\nstatements given by witnesses and victims to rights workers in
\nthe province.<\/p>\n
\"Both warring sides have violated the humanitarian law as
\nstated in the Geneva Convention and the human rights law as
\nwell .... We call on both parties to end hostilities and reopen
\npeace talks, and this time the talks should involve civilians,\"
\ncommission member M.M. Billah said during a media briefing.<\/p>\n
Billah heads the commission's ad hoc team monitoring rights
\nviolations in Aceh. The 13-member team, which includes three
\nmembers of other human rights watchdogs, is set to leave for Aceh
\non Thursday and Friday as concern over rights abuses in the
\nprovince intensifies.<\/p>\n
The team said the imposition of martial law, followed by the
\nmilitary offensive to crush the separatist Free Aceh Movement
\n(GAM), had worsened rights violations committed against the
\nAcehnese.<\/p>\n
The team also said the Indonesian government had failed to
\nprotect public facilities, evidenced by the burning down of over
\n400 schools, depriving tens of thousands of children of receiving
\na proper education.<\/p>\n
Billah urged the government to make efforts to identify and
\nprosecute rights violators in Aceh, as required under the 1999
\nlaw on human rights.<\/p>\n
He also called on the government to \"give room to non-
\ngovernmental organizations to participate in the monitoring of
\nthe imposition of martial law (in Ache)\".<\/p>\n
Billah called on the public to pressure the government to
\nallow rights workers into Aceh.<\/p>\n
\"We need more public support because there is a lack of
\npressure from political parties to protect the rights of
\ncivilians during the military operations in Aceh,\" Billah said.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, martial law administrator Maj. Gen. Endang Suwarya
\nsaid on Monday that foreign observers were not needed in the
\nprovince.<\/p>\n
\"We do not need foreign observers. We have been cooperating
\nwith domestic parties to observe the integrated operation (in
\nAceh). We will be able to overcome any problems by ourselves,\"
\nSuwarya said in Banda Aceh.<\/p>\n
Alleged human rights violations in Aceh from May 19-27, 2003<\/p>\n
May 19-27: The burning down of 386 schools, violating Common
\nArticle 3 of the Geneva Convention prohibiting the destruction of
\nthe environment and buildings; The evacuation and forced
\ndisplacement of residents; Sweeping operations against Acehnese
\nin the provinces of North Sumatra and Riau.<\/p>\n
May 23: The torture of residents of Hadu village in Bireuen.<\/p>\n
May 23: The torture and sexual assault of residents of Meunasah
\nKrueng village.<\/p>\n
May 26: A rape in Aceh Jaya.<\/p>\n
May 26: The rape of a 13-year old girl in Ara Bungong hamlet,
\nBireuen.<\/p>\n
May 26: The arbitrary arrest of a reporter assigned to cover
\nthe military operations.<\/p>\n
May 27: Murders in Bireuen.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/komnas-ham-to-probe-aceh-violations-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }