Martial law plan comes under fire
Martial law plan comes under fire
JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of Human Rights Affairs Hasballah
M. Saad accused on Friday military and defense officials of
undermining the government's efforts of reconciliation in Aceh by
demanding the imposition of limited martial law in the restive
province.
Hasballah outlined the careful steps being taken by the
government in resolving the growing successionist calls in Aceh
through nonrepressive means.
He warned that the government's efforts would be futile if
strong-arm military tactics were employed again.
"Efforts to restore confidence in the central government
through nonviolent approaches could be destroyed by the
implementation of martial law in Aceh," Hasballah said.
National Police chief Gen. Roesmanhadi said on Wednesday that
it might be necessary to impose limited martial law in several
areas of the province because police were not ready to deal with
guerrilla tactics employed by separatist guerrillas.
He specifically cited the areas of Pidie, North, West and
South Aceh as likely areas where martial law would be needed. His
comments were backed up by military and defense officials, who
said on Friday that they would bring the proposal to the next
Cabinet meeting.
The issue accentuates the divide between civilian and military
ranks on such issues, with no less than the House of
Representatives and the National Commission on Human Rights
deploring the idea.
It also raises questions about the commitment of the military
to move away from repressive measures. Indonesian Military (TNI)
chief Adm. Widodo A.S. said earlier this month that repressive
tactics had been unsuccessful in Aceh.
Hasballah said on Friday the proposal demonstrated that
Widodo's pledge to refrain from such methods had not been "fully
translated on the ground".
The issue may come to a head when the Cabinet meets here on
Saturday.
In September, military officials were successful in their
demands for imposition of martial law in East Timor, despite
initial rejection for the move during a Cabinet meeting.
Minister of Defense Juwono Sudarsono also said on Friday that
the issue was likely to be brought to Saturday's Cabinet meeting.
However he stressed that limited martial law would only be
imposed after the deployment of security forces in the area was
deemed ineffective to restore order.
"Therefore Pak Bagyo, Pak Roesmanhadi and I are still
considering the proper strength of the force to be deployed in
Aceh," Juwono said, referring to Army Chief of Staff Gen. Subagyo
Hadisiswoyo and Police chief Roesmanhadi.
"But the scheme on the limited martial law in certain areas is
also under our consideration," he added.
Juwono said the perceptions of those opposed to the idea had
been swayed by a political media blitz launched by the Free Aceh
Movement (GAM), noting that as a result the military and police
had been blamed for various actions which they had not committed.
Instead of appeasing his critics, Juwono's statement of
possible force deployment has led to more suspicion on the role
of security forces. Critics have alleged that it was the very
large presence and supreme authority of the military in Aceh
which contributed to human rights abuses in the province.
The Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) said in a
statement on Friday that martial law and increased troop
deployment in the province would only aggravate the situation.
"It opens up possibilities for the misuse of power, in
addition to the already complicated problems in Aceh. And nobody
can guarantee that Acehnese will not be victims of renewed
violence," foundation chairman Bambang Widjojanto said.
Bambang proposed that the government openly and sincerely
apologize to the Acehnese people and bring to court individuals
who had violated human rights. (emf/01/ylt/byg)