Stop fighting in Aceh

Stop fighting in Aceh

JAKARTA: Some 70 student activists, grouped under the Aceh Coalition of Democratic Societies (KMDA), called on the Indonesian government and the separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM) on Friday to stop the armed conflict, at least during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadhan.

The call was contained in an open letter addressed to GAM's top leader Tengku Hasan Muhammad Tiro and President Megawati Soekarnoputri, copies of which were made available to the media.

Coalition spokesman Muhammad Saleh pointed out that the call was issued because both parties had the potential to wage violence and the violations of human rights.

"As such, the coalition has asked both parties to stop violence, intimidation and terrorism in Aceh soon," Saleh said.

He made it clear that the call was directed toward exerting pressure on both the Indonesian military and police, as well as GAM troops, which have all committed violence and human rights violations against civilians. --Antara