Sufferings of Aceh children

Sufferings of Aceh children

It makes us sad to imagine the sufferings of children affected
by violence in some parts of Aceh. I was moved when reading the
statement of Seto Mulyadi, chairman of the National Convention
for Children's Rights. He said the military operations and
rioting in the province have traumatized children there. Without
intervention, the affected children will continue to bear a
grudge. Rioting and wars generally affect children the most due
to the resultant troubles in their social environment.

It is true that international institutions have paid attention
to children victimized by violent actions and wars, including
those affected by the military operation in Aceh. The government,
including the Indonesian military (TNI), has also paid attention
to this matter seriously and is still considering new steps to
overcome it -- by helping children pursue higher education and
providing jobs for their parents. Instead of merely introducing
such tactical measures, the government should also take the
strategic measure of introducing comprehensive guidelines on
military operations.

But the problem is that some members of the Free Aceh Movement
(GAM) have also intimidated and provoked local residents in Aceh
while wearing TNI uniforms, to make the residents believe the
violence has been conducted by TNI members.

This means that the troubles in Aceh are not merely the
problems of TNI. All of us must assume responsibility to solve
the problems properly. We cannot arbitrarily accuse TNI personnel
of violence. If the violence is conducted by GAM members, who
will then take responsibility?

All of us, as a nation, should realize that violent actions
and bearing grudges are bad. Parents, religious leaders and
social figures, therefore, should be fair and balanced in
discussing Indonesian history and all social events. But
describing the truth is sometimes very difficult and time-
consuming.

TONI PONIMAN

Jakarta