TNI arrests of activists questioned
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.