Indonesia defends verdict on Aceh activist

Indonesia defends verdict on Aceh activist

Agence France-Presse, Jakarta

The government Friday rejected U.S. criticism of the five-year prison sentence imposed on an Aceh activist who seeks an independence referendum in the war-torn province.

Muhammad Nazar, chairman of Aceh Referendum Information Center (SIRA) was jailed Tuesday for "displaying hostility" to the government through his campaign for a referendum on self- determination in Aceh. He had served a 10-month sentence in 2001 for similar offenses.

The U.S. State Department criticised what it called the "harsh" sentence, saying Nazar was exercising his right to peaceful political activity.

"This is the latest in a series of convictions and prison sentences for peaceful expression of anti-government views in Indonesia," State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said on Thursday.

Indonesian Foreign Ministry spokesman Marty Natalegawa said the courts were free from political intervention and it would not be appropriate for the government to express an opinion on the decision.

"Now, if the government of Indonesia itself has adopted that kind of principled approach, we would have thought it rather self-evident and appropriate for other governments to also have a similar approach," he said.

Troops are in the second month of an all-out military offensive aimed at wiping out separatist rebels in Aceh.

A number of local human rights activists and aid workers suspected have also been arrested during the military operation and they are now waiting trial. It is taking place under martial law, which restricts the movement of foreign journalists and non- governmental organizations.

The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists has rejected government arguments that the restrictions are needed to protect the safety of foreigners and says they are instead designed to block press access.

Natalegawa denied that Aceh is being closed to outsiders.

"On the contrary, I think since the integrated operation has been launched, Aceh has been under more scrutiny than it has ever been before ... We are being kept honest," he said.