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Aceh: TAPOL calls for opposition to martial law

11 July 2002

TAPOL, the Indonesia Human Rights Campaign, today called on the British Government to make it clear to the Indonesian Government that the idea of imposing a state of emergency or martial law in Aceh is quite unacceptable.

For more than a week, reports have been circulating that the government of President Megawati Sukarnoputri is considering the declaration of a state of emergency or martial law in Aceh. The idea has provoked strong opposition in Aceh where it is feared that this will only lead to an escalation of the already dangerous level of military operations in Aceh.

In a letter to Mike O'Brien, Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, TAPOL's Director, Carmel Budiardjo, said:

'By declaring a state of emergency or martial law, the Indonesian Government will be contradicting its own commitment to the talks process and showing that it intends to further intensify the military operations that it embarked on back in April last year when the former president issued the first presidential instruction. Such a decision would come hot on the heels of the decision earlier this year to re-establish the Iskandar Muda regional military command in Aceh, in defiance of the views of Acehnese civil society and the human rights community in Indonesia.'

TAPOL reminded the British Government that the Indonesian Government had committed itself to working towards a ceasefire in Aceh at talks held in May-June with GAM and would indicate that the Indonesian authorities would be 'betraying their own undertakings entered into a good faith'.

TAPOL said:

'Imposing a state of emergency or martial law would allow the security forces, both the organic and non-organic troops, to engage in acts of violence not only against members of the armed resistance but also against non-combatant civilians without fear of facing charges of abuse from any quarter.'

It also called on the British Government to stress the need for accountability by members of the security forces who have been involved in human rights abuses in Aceh since the time of DOM (1989-1998) which continue to occur up to the present day.

ENDS

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