Violence in Aceh

Violence in Aceh

Various circles mainly those involved in human rights affairs
have asked the Indonesian Military (TNI) and National Police to
stop the violence in Aceh in the wake of the Peureulak and
Peusangan incidents, which claimed victims among inhabitants and
security personnel. The request deserves to be supported by the
whole community in order to avoid the useless shedding of tears
and blood on the "front porch" of Mecca (as Aceh is often
referred to in Indonesia). People hope that TNI and police
leaders will strengthen their intention to stop the various forms
of violence which haunt the lives of the Acehnese.

However, we need to see and consider wisely the violence in
Aceh. Apparently it cannot abate, let alone stop, if the action
of stopping the violence is done unilaterally. Although security
personnel do their utmost, if the community does not cooperate
and does not participate in the stopping of the violence, the
violence will continue. Violence, especially that in Aceh, is not
a matter for TNI and the police only. Violence -- closely related
to human rights violations -- is often practiced by a group of
citizens not only against other citizens but also against
security personnel. The abduction, killing and sadistic torture
of security personnel are concrete proof that there is another
force outside TNI and the police that is capable of committing
violence.

If TNI and police leaders are expected to end the violence
there, firm action against their subordinates is not sufficient.
They should also eliminate all potential that could trigger
violence in Aceh. In other words, they must be able to eradicate
the armed groups, including the provocateurs that often instigate
violent action. If we do not want further violence in Aceh, we
are obliged to support security personnel to fight those who are
involved in all the violent actions. If we cannot give that
support, I am pessimistic about all the theories on stopping the
violence in Aceh.

S. HOMAS DAMIRI

Jakarta