Children hold out hope for others in misery

JAKARTA (JP): She did not know them personally but Meliyana, 12, penned a letter to children in Ambon, Maluku.

"Hello friends, how are you doing there? Is it bad or good news? I understand that you have experienced terrible things. My deepest sympathy for that. Let me ask you something which I wonder myself; what do they really want?"

The girl nicknamed Meli introduced herself, told about her family, her activities and her likes and dislikes.

She encouraged her new friends to unite and support others despite the sectarian violence which has raged in the area since January 1999.

"I know most of you are unable to go to school anymore. You must be very disappointed about it. I pray for you. Always stick together and I hope you can continue your studies soon ..."

Together with dozens of other children in Jakarta, Meli sent the letters to children in areas of the country blighted by natural or manmade disasters. They include Ambon, the now independent territory of East Timor, Sambas in West Kalimantan, Aceh and Bengkulu, which was hit in June by a strong earthquake. The activities are organized by the National Commission for Child Protection (Komnas PA), who send the letters to the refugee camps.

The response has been encouraging, said the commission's executive director, Arist Merdeka Sirait.

He said the children could communicate better with their peers than adults could. They could also express themselves better through writing because they might be afraid to speak directly to other people.

Sirait said that through the communication, Komnas PA was able to reunite several children with their parents in Atambua.

"In Atambua, we are concentrating on children separated from their families. By replying to letters from other children, they can tell more about themselves. Then we can find those who are separated from their families."

He said the correspondence -- with letters from children in school and others who are working, including street children -- would be published in a book.

He said few understood the plight of children who were victims of violence.

"From the psychosocial point of view, because they are children who are usually still fragile, they can bear resentment and cause disorder."

The commission attempted to set up trauma centers as well as schools housed in tents in the unrest-torn areas. The trauma centers were established in Atambua, Buton in Southeast Sulawesi, Ambon, Medan and Aceh. About 30 school tents are available in Atambua in cooperation with other humanitarian organizations.

The commission also surmised that some of the children from Timor were part of a trafficking ring, probably for prostitution. It received information that several children were scattered in Riau and other places which were traditionally part of a child prostitution network.

"The worst impact from all of this is that we're going to lose one generation. So it's not only malnutrition which may hamper the nation," Arist said.

Violence in Maluku, Aceh, Ambon and Timor are plainly evident examples of abuse of children, Arist said.

He added there were other forms of abuse, far from the conflict zones, which people can see in everyday life. They include physical abuse within the family, sexual abuse in the family/extended family, emotional abuse and drug abuse.

He warned the country's politicians and elite must be careful in making statements because it could be a form of emotional violence.

"We can't blame people in Aceh, for instance, as several members of the elite in power made very strong statements which ignited violence in Aceh," Arist said.

Emotional abuse is not restricted to conflict-hit areas but is also found in major cities like Jakarta.

"For example, as the educational curriculum is not enjoyable for some students in the capital, they choose to brawl while they also do not have a happy family life," he said.

They know the risks when they become involved in brawls, yet they continue the violence, he added.

"This is dissatisfying. We know that 50 percent of Indonesia's some 205 million population is aged under 18 years. Meanwhile, Commission VII (on social affairs) of the House of Representatives does not have any agenda to protect the children," he said.

Arist said the commission was working hard on a draft of a children's rights bill to be submitted to the government.

"Indonesia has actually ratified three conventions on children's rights. These include the Convention of Children's Rights, the ILO convention articles 138 and 182. The last one focuses on the worst form of child labor and was recently ratified by Indonesia by implementing the Law no. 1/2000 on Child Labor."

Yet the nation has never paid serious attention to children, he added.

Tens of thousands of children have been victims due to violence. They have been wounded, left disabled, orphaned or killed. Many languish in refugee camps lacking proper food, shelter, health care and educational facilities. Most importantly, they still live in fear because of the poor protection from the state.

Meli and other children, however, have not forgotten them.

"Friends, I read the newspapers and watch television about your situation. I can't do anything but send you this letter. Also, I don't know what to do to stop the violence. Do they know about peace? I only give you my sympathy and pray for you to be always strong ... Sincerely, your friend."