(New York) Human rights conditions in the separatist province of Aceh are deteriorating quickly, Human Rights Watch warned in a briefing paper, "Aceh Under Martial Law: Human Rights Under Fire," released today.
The Indonesian military has prohibited most international observers from visiting Aceh since the conflict reignited two weeks ago, making it difficult to confirm reported abuses by both the military and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM).
Human Rights Watch has recently received reports of extrajudicial executions by Indonesian forces, of plans by the Indonesian military to forcibly relocate large numbers of Acehnese, and of a wave of school burnings across the province. Human Rights Watch urges both sides to seek a solution to the conflict that respects the basic rights of the civilian population.
"It is predictable that human rights abuses will get worse in an armed conflict out of the public eye," said Brad Adams, executive director of Human Rights Watch's Asia division. "If there is nothing to hide, Indonesia should immediately allow free access to Aceh. Given the terrible record of both the Indonesian military and GAM, the fate of civilians in Aceh today is a serious worry."
Human Rights Watch urged both sides to respect international humanitarian and human rights law in the conflict, and expressed concern about reports of imminent shortages of food and medicine. Both sides are obliged under international law to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance into areas under their control. Thus far, the Indonesian government has insisted that humanitarian aid be handed over to it for delivery.
"The Indonesian government should allow experienced international organizations to get on with their work of distributing relief," said Adams.
Indonesian non-governmental organizations have been threatened for reporting abuses. Lists of activists alleged to be sympathetic to GAM have been drawn up. Government officials have threatened to charge them with subversion, which carries the death penalty. Local phone service has been disrupted. The main highway from Medan to Aceh is now controlled by a series of military checkpoints. The few independent journalists in Aceh fear that they may soon be expelled by the Indonesian authorities in retaliation for reporting abuses by Indonesian forces.
Senior Indonesian military officers have made public statements urging an aggressive, all-out war to "crush" GAM. Others, however, have insisted upon the protection of human rights.
"It is important for Indonesian authorities to speak with one voice on the protection of human rights," said Adams. "This conflict will be a big test for the Indonesian military, which hasn't shown much regard for the laws of war in the past."
Human Rights Watch also welcomed the recent announcement of military justice proceedings against a group of soldiers for beating civilians.
"It would be a big step forward for the Indonesian military if genuine prosecutions are conducted," said Adams. "The world will be watching to see if this becomes the norm or is just a public relations stunt. If this becomes part of the military culture, Indonesia may be able to avoid a repetition of the painful and embarrassing process of trials for senior military officers that it is now going through for abuses committed in East Timor."
Human Rights Watch urged the international community to remain engaged on Aceh. "It is vital that the United States, Japan, and the European Union that have worked very hard to avoid renewed warfare in Aceh, continue to seek a rights-respecting solution to the conflict," said Adams.
After a six-month ceasefire, on May 19, the Indonesian government authorized a military solution to the longstanding conflict in Indonesia's northwestern Aceh province. Human Rights Watch has documented abuses by both sides in a series of reports over the last decade.
