'We take this opportunity also to urge the international
community to pressure the Indonesian government to have a
little respect for the rights to life and justice of the
Achenese.'
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 HE
CULPRITS FOR THIS latest
senseless killing have not been definitively determined.
But, in keeping with behaviour reminiscent of the New
Order, the concerned areas have been effectively blockaded
from any third party investigation by the Indonesian
military. Moreover, the Indonesian government's continued
resistance to calls for an independent inquiry highlights
the degree to which the Republic of Indonesia is prepared to
go to protect those responsible for this latest incident.
Respectable international human rights NGO such as the New
York based Human Rights Watch, Tapol and others have issued
strong statements demanding an independent inquiry. It is
also essential that protection of the nine survivors, their
families and other survivors is guaranteed. IFA, as an
Achenese international human rights organization, wishes to
express gratitude to these organizations that have
tirelessly fought for the respect of human rights in
Indonesia, especially in conflict areas such as Acheh. We are
joining hands with them in condemning this new barbaric
incident that come in the wake of the recent massacres in
Central Acheh.
The
sharp escalation of violence in Acheh is the direct result of
the Presidential Order “Inpres no. 4”, issued by former
President Abdurrahman Wahid as part of his vain attempt to
gain military favour and save his presidency. We call on the
current president, Ms. Megawati Sukarnoputri to repeal this
Presidential Order immediately and to stop using the
military to solve the problems in Acheh and to return to the
dialogue with ASNLF.
We take this opportunity also to urge the international
community to pressure the Indonesian government to have a
little respect for the rights to life and justice of the
Achenese.
The
International Forum for Acheh—a
New York based Achenese NGO dedicated to the struggle for
Human Rights and Justice in Acheh. 86-20 57th Road
APT B, Elmhurst, New York, 11373 Web: http://www.aceh.org/ifa;
or
Email:
ifa@aceh.org.
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