Civilian rights ignored in Aceh: Activists

Soeryo Winoto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

What have the Indonesian military (TNI) and Free Aceh Movement (GAM) gained from the prolonged conflict in Aceh? Nothing but misery. The civilians have, of course, been the ones to suffer most from the conflicts, but very little seems to have been accomplished in their interest.

This circumstance has encouraged a non-governmental organization that promotes civil rights, the Civil Alliance for Peace in Aceh, to conduct what it calls a "road show" to promote peace and the rights of civil society in Aceh.

Risman A. Rachman, coordinator of the Alliance, said that the main reason for the peace campaign and road show was the violence against civilians committed during the prolonged battle.

"Almost everybody links Aceh with war and violence, so we're asking everybody to see Aceh in a different light: Let's see Aceh with love," Risman said.

"Both GAM and the TNI have been so obsessed with destroying each other that they have ignored the right of the Acehnese people to pursue normal lives," he said in an interview with The Jakarta Post last week.

Another Alliance member, Afridal, who is from the Legal Aid Institute (LBH) in Aceh, said that the violence must be stopped. "We are all fed up with war, with dead bodies and killings. Just imagine what might cross your mind when, while jogging in the morning, some people intercept you just because they find dead bodies on the side of the road?"

If the violence does not end soon, more civilians will be victimized. "The conflict has been going on for 26 years, and let's say one civilian is killed each month. How many people have been killed during the 26-year conflict in Aceh?" asked Afridal.

According to the Alliance, the conflict in Aceh has resulted in widespread human rights violations, stagnant laws, the legal system and law enforcement, and the exploitation of resources, including natural, community and individual resources.

"The conflict has also destroyed the culture of peace among the Acehnese civil society, which had been fading gradually. People are easily irritated and get angry even over trivial things. This is very dangerous, as it is as though we are living in an uncivilized society," he said.

The restrictions placed on community participation in political affairs are also an effect of the conflict, Risman added.

During its road show, the Alliance plans to meet with strategic groups, such as Muhammadiyah, the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), NGOs like the International NGO Forum on Indonesian Development (INFID), the European Commission, foreign diplomats, noted individuals like Muhammadiyah chairman Achmad Syafii Maarif, and the media.

"We have yet to meet the gentlemen from NU, but we've already met Pak Syafii," said Risman. "GAM is not included in our road show; we have a special team that will meet GAM members to introduce our peace concepts."

The Alliance, which consists of several NGOs, seeks support from the strategic groups for the peace building process in Aceh.

"We urge and challenge the strategic groups to push both the government and GAM to adopt concrete frameworks for peace. We also want these strategic groups to ensure that the conflict resolution process is carried out in a fair manner that acknowledges the aspirations and demands of the Acehnese civil society," he said.

Meanwhile, Afridal said that the Alliance decided to conduct the road show because, according to their latest plan, GAM and the government of Indonesia are to sign a peace deal in Geneva on Dec. 9.

According to Afridal and Risman, the Henry Dunant Centre, which has been instrumental in bridging the peace deal, is apparently lacking in its efforts to push the government and GAM to trust one another.

"Therefore, we see no guarantees that the peace deal will be signed on that date. What we are doing now is making public the Seven Principles for a Peace Agreement," said Afridal.

The seven principles are: 1) Cessation of hostilities, focusing on decreasing military presence in Aceh (for both GAM and TNI); 2) Prosecution and punishment of violators of human rights, in the spirit of truth and justice for upholding human rights in Aceh; 3) Securing justice and safety for victims of the Aceh conflict; 4) Implementation of direct elections for a provincial leader; 5) Policy and organizational reform of the provincial administration; 6) Cessation of the exploitation of natural, community and individual resources of Aceh; 7) Inclusion of active, third-party participation in the political arena of Aceh.

"We want the seven principles to be adopted and included in the deal to be signed on Dec. 9," said Risman. "The two warring camps should quickly adopt a strategic and concrete framework by signing a peace agreement based on the seven principles."

"Following that, we have what we call Stage B: The implementation of an Aceh People's Conference to investigate, formulate and implement policies and frameworks like the seven principles."

However, both Risman and Afridal said they could not expect too much from the road show, since the two warring groups are stubbornly maintaining their respective stances, while Dec. 9 is drawing nearer. Their measure of optimism is "about 40 percent", Risman said.

Risman is being realistic. Despite the planned signing of a peace deal, TNI soldiers are still besieging an area believed to be one of GAM's strongholds, while GAM commander Teuku Darwis hinted in a recent interview with a private television station that the signing would not take place unless TNI fulfills GAM's conditions. He did not elaborate.

For Aceh, it seems, peace is still far away.