Komnas HAM to probe Aceh violations
Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) said on Monday it would investigate over 20 cases of alleged rights violations in Aceh during the first two weeks of military operations in the province.
The commission said the cases involved civilians in the province and included murder, sexual harassment, rape and forced displacement.
It said more investigation of the cases was needed, although it had obtained leads on possible perpetrators based on statements given by witnesses and victims to rights workers in the province.
"Both warring sides have violated the humanitarian law as stated in the Geneva Convention and the human rights law as well .... We call on both parties to end hostilities and reopen peace talks, and this time the talks should involve civilians," commission member M.M. Billah said during a media briefing.
Billah heads the commission's ad hoc team monitoring rights violations in Aceh. The 13-member team, which includes three members of other human rights watchdogs, is set to leave for Aceh on Thursday and Friday as concern over rights abuses in the province intensifies.
The team said the imposition of martial law, followed by the military offensive to crush the separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM), had worsened rights violations committed against the Acehnese.
The team also said the Indonesian government had failed to protect public facilities, evidenced by the burning down of over 400 schools, depriving tens of thousands of children of receiving a proper education.
Billah urged the government to make efforts to identify and prosecute rights violators in Aceh, as required under the 1999 law on human rights.
He also called on the government to "give room to non- governmental organizations to participate in the monitoring of the imposition of martial law (in Ache)".
Billah called on the public to pressure the government to allow rights workers into Aceh.
"We need more public support because there is a lack of pressure from political parties to protect the rights of civilians during the military operations in Aceh," Billah said.
Meanwhile, martial law administrator Maj. Gen. Endang Suwarya said on Monday that foreign observers were not needed in the province.
"We do not need foreign observers. We have been cooperating with domestic parties to observe the integrated operation (in Aceh). We will be able to overcome any problems by ourselves," Suwarya said in Banda Aceh.
Alleged human rights violations in Aceh from May 19-27, 2003
May 19-27: The burning down of 386 schools, violating Common Article 3 of the Geneva Convention prohibiting the destruction of the environment and buildings; The evacuation and forced displacement of residents; Sweeping operations against Acehnese in the provinces of North Sumatra and Riau.
May 23: The torture of residents of Hadu village in Bireuen.
May 23: The torture and sexual assault of residents of Meunasah Krueng village.
May 26: A rape in Aceh Jaya.
May 26: The rape of a 13-year old girl in Ara Bungong hamlet, Bireuen.
May 26: The arbitrary arrest of a reporter assigned to cover the military operations.
May 27: Murders in Bireuen.