TNI arrests of activists questioned
Tiarma Siboro and Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
A number of arrests of Acehnese activists across the country for their alleged link with the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) has raised questions among observers over the performance of the Aceh martial law administration.
"These arrests have sparked more and more questions, all of which are basically on the performance and the objectives (of the martial law administration) there," military observer Ikrar Nusa Bhakti of the Indonesian Institute of Science (LIPI) said.
He recalled the military's claim at the end of the first six- month period of military operation in November last year that GAM's strength had been reduced by 50 percent, their communications paralyzed and their routes to obtain logistics blocked.
The military has deployed some 35,000 troops and 14,000 police personnel during the operation in Aceh. Ten battalions of newly established Raider combat troops were sent to the province at the start of the extension of the operation.
"The second period is about to end in May and the military is still proud to announce their success in capturing low-key GAM members or supporters, like the activists.
Why do GAM leaders remain on the loose despite the fact that they have been encircled? Or are there other motives the military is hiding in regard to the future of the operation there?" Ikrar said on Saturday.
President Megawati Soekarnoputri has promised to reduce the martial law in Aceh to a state of civil emergency in May, although she failed to clarify whether the military operation would continue.
Separately, Hendardi of the Indonesian Legal Aid and Human Rights Association (PBHI) also criticized the arrests, which targeted youths, most of whom are in their 20s.
"I just could not understand why the military arrested a 20- year-old university student on the accusation that he was the aide of a GAM finance minister," he said, referring to the arrest of an Acehnese student in Bandung last month.
Shortly after the military operation started in May last year, the military arrested a number of human rights and pro-referendum activists, raising fears that the government was targeting anyone critical of governmental policies in Aceh.
Recently, the military arrested an environmentalist who is known for his opposition to the controversial highway construction project in the province.
Separately, a student activist in Banda Aceh told The Jakarta Post that the military had been targeting a number of activists of non-governmental organization who promoted peace in the province.
"We just want the conflict in Aceh to be resolved but they (the military) branded us as GAM supporters," said the activist, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. He added the arrests were counterproductive as they sparked antipathy of the military and sympathy for the rebels, who have been fighting for independence since 1976.
"Due to the military crackdown, some of my colleagues have sought protection from GAM," he said.
The Aceh martial law administration has vowed to hunt down the activists for their alleged link with GAM.
Acehnese activists arrested in 2004
1. Masrizal, 27,
Student and activist, arrested in Linge, Aceh in February,
alleged GAM leader known as Abdussalam.
2. Iwan Irama Putra, 27.
Student of the Ar-Raniry State Islamic Institute and
activist of the Linge Student Network (IMPEL), arrested in
Linge in February, charges unclear.
3. Harlina, 22.
University student and activist of the Acehnese
Democratic Women's Organization (Orpad), arrested at her house
in Banda Aceh in February, charges unclear.
4. Nova Rahayu, 23.
Syiah Kuala University student and Orpad activist, arrested in
February but has been released.
5. Nursida, 22.
Syiah Kuala University student and Orpad activist, arrested in
February in Banda Aceh but has been released.
6. Syafrudin
Student and activist of the Student Solidarity for People,
arrested in Banda Aceh in February but has been released.
7. Mohammad bin Mohammad Thayib, 21.
Ar-Raniry Institute student, arrested in Bandung in March for
allegedly working as an aide to a GAM finance minister.