Truce fails to stop Aceh violence<\/p>\n
BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): Community leaders and observers in
\nstrife-torn Aceh have expressed concern over a lack of sanctions
\nagainst those violating the ongoing humanitarian pause here.<\/p>\n
"The joint security committee only functions as an
\nadministrator which records violent incidents but does not do
\nanything to deal with them," provincial legislator Munir Azis
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Munir told a hearing with the joint security committee on
\nThursday that despite the truce which took effect on June 2,
\ncrimes such as extortion, robbery and murder did not stop.<\/p>\n
The committee, which includes representatives of the
\ngovernment and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM), was set up in
\naccordance with the humanitarian pause agreed upon in May.<\/p>\n
Bachtiar Nitura, a social scientist from state Syah Kuala
\nUniversity, said that it is too risky for the humanitarian pause
\nto continue without clear punishment for violators.<\/p>\n
"So far moral sanctions are the only way of deterrence, but it
\nis practically ineffective considering the chaotic situation
\nhere," Bachtiar said.<\/p>\n
Otto Syamsuddin Ishak, a sociologist from Banda Aceh, shared
\nBachtiar's view. "Do not spoil the truce. This is a good chance
\nto settle the dispute so the joint committee better set the
\nground rules in the right manner," he said.<\/p>\n
GAM representatives failed to turn up for the hearing between
\nprovincial councilors and members of the joint committee on
\nsecurity and humanitarian affairs held at the legislature
\nbuilding.<\/p>\n
One of GAM's representatives, Tengku Nasiruddin bin Ahmad,
\nsaid he missed the meeting because the invitation did not come
\nfrom the Henry Dunant Center, which has served as the facilitator
\nof the humanitarian pause.<\/p>\n
"We cannot comply with the meeting without Henry Dunant's
\nnotice," he said.<\/p>\n
At least 44 people have been killed since the signing of a
\nhumanitarian accord between Jakarta and GAM on May 12 in Geneva.<\/p>\n
The latest casualty was identified as Abdul Hamid, 40, a
\nsuspected cuak (military spy), who was found dead with stab
\nwounds in his neck and head in Idi Rayeuk on Wednesday, East Aceh
\npolice chief Lt. Col. Abdullah Hayati said on Friday.<\/p>\n
Earlier on Thursday, about 800 part-time workers of Exxon-Oil
\nstaged a strike in Lhoksukon, North Aceh to demand that the
\ncompany's management lift their status to full-time employees, as
\nmost of them have been working for the company for over 20 years.
\n(50\/edt)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/truce-fails-to-stop-aceh-violence-1447893297",
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