Aceh civilians tire of military intimidation
Aceh civilians tire of military intimidation
Nani Afrida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh
"Are you Acehnese? Then you must be GAM."
This sort of intimidating remark is frequently uttered by
soldiers when conducting checking motorists and passers-by for
identity cards and weapons. Local resident Muhammad, 32, has had
enough of it.
"What's wrong with being Acehnese? If they want to
discriminate against us like this, why don't they just let Aceh
become independent," he said angrily.
Muhammad is a native Acehnese, and is immediately recognized
as such by the authorities on account of his dark complexion. He
lives in Reubeuk village, Mutiara district, Pidie regency, some
118 kilometers from Banda Aceh.
The area is one of the "hot spots" in the regency.
He has often been questioned longer than other people by
soldiers as he has a local identity card.
"It's as if all Acehnese are considered troublemakers and are
responsible for the current situation," he complained.
His remarks were confirmed by Pardamean Sitorus of North
Tapanuli, who works as a drugs' salesman in Banda Aceh. He has
often seen Acehnese people being stigmatized as GAM rebels,
especially during searches by the military and police.
"The soldiers treat me differently to the Acehnese. Moreover,
I don't have to carry the local red-and-white ID card," said
Sitorus, referring to the fact that the Acehnese are
discriminated against by being forced to carry a special ID card
flaunting the colors of the Indonesian flag.
He added that during searches, Acehnese people would normally
be questioned abusively by soldiers. The slightest
misunderstanding could result in big trouble for the locals,
including being beaten and kicked.
Frequently, the Acehnese are abused by being forced to lie in
water-filled ditches or being ordered to do countless push-ups.
"If they are believed to have committed a more serious
offense, they will be taken to a command post," added Sitorus.
People who are in any way connected with separatist rebels or
who even happen to have the same or similar names as GAM leaders,
like Muzakkir Manaf or Sofyan Dawood, come in for particularly
abusive treatment.
Soldiers or police often paint the word "GAM" or the letter
"X" in red paint on houses they believe are owned by families of
GAM members. These sorts of human rights abuses have sparked
public unrest and drawn protests from human rights groups.
However, Aceh civil emergency administration Sr. Comr. Sayed
Husainy denied any discriminatory treatment against the Acehnese
by the military and police.
"It might have happened previously because at that time it was
still difficult for the security forces to distinguish between
GAM members and civilians. But this isn't such a problem any
more," he said.
Apart from widespread discrimination and intimidation, local
people are also often at the receiving end of even more serious
rights abuses, like torture, murder, abduction and unlawful
detention. While cases of discrimination are regarded as being
very harmful, they are frequently ignored.
A human rights activist in Aceh, Muhammad Isa, said the
discrimination was particularly serious as it could create
further tension and conflict in the province.
"Many of the family members of GAM fighters are not involved
in separatist activities. Nevertheless, they are frequently
summoned by the authorities for questioning. They are also
obliged to report even though they have done nothing. It's
dangerous," Isa told The Jakarta Post on Friday.
He added that this sort of approach on the part of the
military and police was one of the main reasons behind the
increase in the popularity of the separatist cause.
"When Aceh was declared a military operation zone (DOM) (by
the Soeharto regime), there were only a few hundred GAM
insurgents in Pidie, North Aceh and East Aceh. Now, after 10
years there are a lot more throughout Aceh," Isa said.