Traumatized children live in fear and suffering in Aceh

Traumatized children live in fear and suffering in Aceh

T. Sima Gunawan, Contributor, Jakarta

This special page is published to commemorate Children's
Universal Day on Nov. 20 (today). We share our concern over the
suffering of hundreds of thousands of children due to armed
conflicts and the fate of the growing number of street kids.

Marzuki A from the National Commission of Human Rights for the
Protection of Children was speechless as he listened to children
in war-torn Aceh in July.

"They asked why their elementary school building was set on
fire," Marzuki said. "They said they did not understand. And how
could I explain because I myself don't know who set the fire and
why all of this should happen."

Since the government imposed martial law in Aceh province on
the northern tip of Indonesia's Sumatra island in May, more than
500 school buildings have been razed by fire, affecting 100,000
students. The Indonesian Military (TNI) pointed the finger at the
separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM), which has blamed the TNI.

Until today, no one has claimed responsibility for the
attacks. And most people in the first place remain confused -- if
not upset -- by the launch of the military operation in Aceh,
which has made the Acehnese suffer.

Children in Aceh suffer not only because their school
buildings were ruined by the fire, which forced them to study
under makeshift tents. Many live in fear or pain because their
parents, siblings, relatives or friends have been killed,
wounded, tortured, raped or detained in the prolonged conflict.

Some 10,000 people were killed while many were reportedly
raped by members of the military during the period of the
military operation zone (DOM) between 1989 and 1998 in the
province, which has abundant gas and oil.

From May this year until late in June, at least 100 civilians
have been killed, 52 injured and 57 are missing. At that time, it
was reported that 174 GAM members were killed and 206 detained,
while 24 TNI members were killed and 69 injured.

Earlier this month, it was reported that 2,600 GAM members had
been killed, captured or injured. Tens of thousands of civilians
were evacuated. Some went to refugee camps voluntarily while
others were forced to leave their homes.

"During the evacuation process in Central Aceh that took place
not long after the military operation started, a three-day old
baby died," Marzuki said.

Despite the toll of casualties and victims, which continues to
rise daily, the government decided to extend the martial law for
another six months, saying it needs more time to crush the
rebels.

Before the government implemented the military operation in
Aceh last May, they pledged to impose humanitarian programs to
alleviate the victims' misery. Food, medicine and other aid were
sent to the area. This, however, has obviously failed to heal the
pain of the people, especially the children.

The war always put them in trauma. In the case of children,
this will greatly affect their development. When they grow up,
they might easily turn violent because of the grudge they will
bear for years.

"Those children must be immediately rehabilitated. We have
talked with the Ministry of Social Affairs about the need to set
up a trauma center, but so far it has not been realized," Marzuki
told The Jakarta Post last week.

The National Commission for Human Rights for the Protection of
Children underlines three things stipulated in the Convention of
the Rights of Children and Law No. 2/2002 on the protection of
children. First, children under 15 years of age should not be
involved in the war, directly or indirectly. Second, there should
be a guarantee for the protection and care of children affected
by the armed conflict. Third, there should be a correct action to
improve the physical and psychological rehabilitation for the
children as well as social integration in an environment that is
conducive for the health and dignity of the children.

In reality, however, things are different.

Many children are involved in the conflict, directly or
indirectly. Some of them joined GAM in the war, while others
become cantoi or a spy. The deployment of children and teenagers
to become a spy apparently is not practiced by GAM only, but also
by the TNI.

There is no data about children who are involved in the war.
But the National Commission for Human Rights found that at least
three children had been killed since May.

Acehnese children know nothing about politics and might have
different views about nationalism. Those whose family members
were crushed by the military might hate TNI and consider GAM
leaders their heroes.

They might not understand about the war, why it happens and
what the disputed parties want. What they know is that the war
has brought them sorrow and grief. It affects children, not only
in the black spots, but also in other areas. They are no longer
free to play outside their house after the sun goes down,
especially because of the night curfew. Gunfire often wakes them
from their sleep and scares them, even though they are used to
hearing the sounds.

The heartbreaking condition of children in the conflict areas
has moved a number of local women to set up a group called Women
Volunteers for Humanity. The members include housewives,
students, lecturers, lawyers, nurses and NGO activists.

They conduct several programs for the children in the refugee
camps to address their health and development problems.
Recreation activities are regularly conducted to help the
children cope with their trauma.

The children are indeed in need of help, but the fact that
Aceh is under martial law has caused another problem as in a way
it has become isolated from other provinces throughout the
country as the government has halted its postal and courier
services to the province.

"We have collected some 100 story books for children in the
evacuation camps. We wanted to send them to an NGO in Banda Aceh,
but the post office said they couldn't deliver the package,"
Rita, a resident of Bekasi, east of Jakarta, said.

The government's decision to extend martial law in Aceh for
another six months will obviously make the children suffer more.
There is no guarantee that after six months, the war is over. And
even if the war is over, the trauma will remain.

The government should listen to the call of the people to
immediately end the martial law and seek a peaceful way to settle
the problems, no matter how difficult it is. Violence brings no
good as every drop of blood that is shed is followed by the flow
of tears of many. And the pain is hard to heal.