NGOs call for cease-fire in Aceh during Ramadhan fasting month
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Dozens of activists and non-governmental organizations from both Malaysia and Indonesia have called on both the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) to lay down their arms during the upcoming Ramadhan fasting month.
They said a cease-fire would enable the Aceh people to observe the holy month in peace.
In their petition, the activists and NGOs from the two countries urged both warring parties to ensure that Muslims in Aceh could perform their religious obligations.
"On behalf of the right of the Muslims in Aceh to carry out their divine duties in peace and with respect to humanity we appeal to both conflicting parties to cease their warlike activities during the holy month," read the statement, which was made available to The Jakarta Post on Friday.
Among the signatories were the Penang chapter of the National Moslem Scholars Association, the Malaysian Local Democracy Initiative (MALODI), Malaysian Youth and the Democracy Movement (DEMA).
The Indonesian signatories included women's activist Sita Aripurnami, Rufriadi from the Judicial Monitoring Team for Aceh (JMTA) and Nasruddin Abubakar from the Aceh Referendum Information Center (SIRA).
The activists said that as most Acehnese were Muslims, GAM and the government should understood that the holy month had to be observed in peace.
"We call upon political institutions to avail of the opportunity provided by the holy month to end the conflict and return to the negotiating table," the statement said.
Both the TNI and GAM had earlier dismissed the possibility of a cease-fire during Ramadhan, which is expected to start on Monday and end on Nov. 24.
The government imposed martial law in Aceh on May 19, allowing the TNI to launch a major offensive which it was claimed would put an end to decades of rebellion in the natural resource-rich province.
After five months of martial law in Aceh, the TNI claims it has killed more than 900 rebels, while another 1,800 alleged rebels have been arrested or have surrendered,
The conflict has also claimed 304 civilian lives.
In Surabaya, Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono asserted the military operation in Aceh would continue despite the fasting month.
"I understand that Ramadhan is the holy month for Muslims. However, the martial law status must be maintained as it is aimed at fostering security and stability in the province," he was quoted by Antara as saying.
He said Muslims in Aceh could exercise their fasting rites if security was well-maintained.