From: HRD To: djuli ; Polem Peusangan ; acehyouth@yahoo.co.uk ; pomeurah@yahoo.com ; warzainn@yahoo.com ; SIRA Pusat ; bushaceh@yahoo.com Cc: Hendardi ; Daniel Panjaitan ; Paulus Mahulette ; Rusdi Marpaung ; Otto Syamsuddin Ishak ; Juanda ; Cordova Foundation ; Risman A Rahman Sent: Thursday, February 27, 2003 12:12 PMSubject: Forum Asia Press Statement Feb 26: Human Rights Defenders in Aceh Criminalized!!!. Dear All freinds
For Immediate Release
26 February 2003
Forum-Asia Press Statement
Human Rights Defenders in Aceh Criminalized!!!
The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) expresses
its grave concerns regarding the ongoing criminalization of human
rights defenders and NGO activists in Aceh, who merely exercising their
three basic Freedom rights to peaceful assembly, association and
_expression as guaranteed under the agreement on the Cessation of
Hostilities (COHA) signed by Indonesia and GAM on 9 December 2002.
While recognizing the overall improvement reflected in the reducing
levels of violence with a sharp fall in the number of deaths between
the two conflicting parties in Aceh, the Asian human rights
organization is worried about the implementation of the cease fire
agreement. To date, the participation of civil society in the peace
process has not been truly realized. Worse, there are measures taken by
the Indonesian Government to curtail peaceful activities of NGOs inside
Aceh.
Recent harassment of human rights defenders and NGO activists in Aceh
by Indonesia's state authorities includes:-
1) In North Aceh District on 9 January, the civil society's initiative
to hold a peaceful public debate to voice out their concerns regarding
the future of Aceh was interrupted when the Police Mobile Brigade
(Brimob) opened fire at villagers. Police were reportedly deployed to
prevent villagers from attending the public debate. Several people were
reportedly shot and injured. A leading activist, Kautsar, has also been
threatened with arrest in connection with this incident.
2) On 30 January, police released statement stating that a number of
Acehnese activists have been placed on the 'wanted' list. One week
later, Abdullah, an activist from the Presidium of Information Centre
for a Referendum in Aceh (SIRA) was arrested in Aceh Barat Daya
District. He was released four days later.
3) On 5 February, an effort to exercise the rights to peaceful assembly
by the Front Pidie Bersatu (FPB) in Sigli (Aceh- Pidi) was blocked by
police although the organizer had earlier acquired an approval from
police.
4) On 12 February, Muhammad Nazar, Chairman of the Presidium of SIRA
was detained in connection with an allegation of organizing a public
debate without permission in early January this year. Until today,
Muhammad Nazar is still being held in police custody and Police Chief
of Aceh has openly vowed to put him under jails for at least five
years. Drs Bahrumsyah, Police Chief of Aceh, said on 15 February that
Muhammad Nazar violated the peace agreement. He also warned on 17
February that two more Acehnese activists would be arrested allegedly
for provoking unrests. The Army was asked to take part in the hunt for
those Acehnese activists as well.
FORUM-ASIA stresses that activities of NGOs in Aceh are in accordance
with Article 7 of COHA on Public Information and Communication, which
provides for the all forms of peaceful public debate on the peace
process and its implementation. Above all the participation of civil
society is instrumental and necessary to ensure that COHA will
genuinely "meet the aspirations of the people of Aceh to live in
security with dignity, peace, prosperity and justice." In addition,
Article 2F of COHA on Commitment by Both Sides to Cease Hostilities and
All Acts of Violence clearly requires the two conflicting parties
to "allow civil society to express without hindrance their democratic
rights."
To preserve the sprit of COHA and people's confidence in the peace
process, FORUM-ASIA calls on Police Chief of Aceh to immediately revoke
the order to arrest Kautsar and others Acehnese activists. The
Indonesian Government should also immediately release Muhammad Nazar,
Chairman of the Presidium of SIRA.
Although police have power to investigate criminal activities in Peace
Zones, they are required to consult with the Joint Security Council
(JSC). FORUM-ASIA calls on JSC to take proactive measures to deal with
the ongoing mala fide criminalization of human rights defenders and NGO
activists in Aceh. The bottomline is that law enforcement activities to
ensure stability in Aceh must respect human rights as well as the due
process of law and justice.
FORUM-ASIA calls on the Indonesian Government to invite the Special
Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General on Human Rights
Defenders, Ms. Hina Jilani, to examine the situation in Aceh.
[ENDS]
For further information or comments contact:
Somchai Homlaor, FORUM-ASIA Secretary-General on +66 (0) 1 899 5476 or
media@forumasia.org
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