Sufferings of Aceh children<\/p>\n
It makes us sad to imagine the sufferings of children affected
\nby violence in some parts of Aceh. I was moved when reading the
\nstatement of Seto Mulyadi, chairman of the National Convention
\nfor Children's Rights. He said the military operations and
\nrioting in the province have traumatized children there. Without
\nintervention, the affected children will continue to bear a
\ngrudge. Rioting and wars generally affect children the most due
\nto the resultant troubles in their social environment.<\/p>\n
It is true that international institutions have paid attention
\nto children victimized by violent actions and wars, including
\nthose affected by the military operation in Aceh. The government,
\nincluding the Indonesian military (TNI), has also paid attention
\nto this matter seriously and is still considering new steps to
\novercome it -- by helping children pursue higher education and
\nproviding jobs for their parents. Instead of merely introducing
\nsuch tactical measures, the government should also take the
\nstrategic measure of introducing comprehensive guidelines on
\nmilitary operations.<\/p>\n
But the problem is that some members of the Free Aceh Movement
\n(GAM) have also intimidated and provoked local residents in Aceh
\nwhile wearing TNI uniforms, to make the residents believe the
\nviolence has been conducted by TNI members.<\/p>\n
This means that the troubles in Aceh are not merely the
\nproblems of TNI. All of us must assume responsibility to solve
\nthe problems properly. We cannot arbitrarily accuse TNI personnel
\nof violence. If the violence is conducted by GAM members, who
\nwill then take responsibility?<\/p>\n
All of us, as a nation, should realize that violent actions
\nand bearing grudges are bad. Parents, religious leaders and
\nsocial figures, therefore, should be fair and balanced in
\ndiscussing Indonesian history and all social events. But
\ndescribing the truth is sometimes very difficult and time-
\nconsuming.<\/p>\n
TONI PONIMAN<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/sufferings-of-aceh-children-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }