PROMOTING HUMAN RIGHTS, PEACE AND DEMOCRACY IN INDONESIA

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Military operations prevent free and fair Indonesian elections

5 April 2004

A free and fair outcome to today's Indonesian national elections has been rendered impossible by ongoing military operations in Aceh and West Papua says TAPOL, the Indonesia Human Rights Campaign. The elections are proceeding under conditions of martial law in Aceh and heightened military activity in West Papua.

"A meaningful exercise in democracy cannot take place under conditions of fear, intimidation and violence, which are being experienced by people in these conflict areas," says TAPOL spokesman, Paul Barber.

The observance of basic rights is an essential pre-condition of free and fair elections, but since the imposition of martial law on 19 May 2003, the Acehnese people have been denied their rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly, and the military have imposed severe restrictions on the civilian population and the media. Already around 2,000 people have been killed since the start of martial law and widespread human rights violations have been perpetrated.

Similarly repressive conditions exist in West Papua where increased military activity has been attributed to a systematic campaign by the military to destabilise the territory and crackdown on independence activists.

Reports are emerging of people in Aceh being forced to vote by the military and of dozens of people being arrested for refusing to leave their village to vote. There is widespread fear that those who do not vote will be regarded by the military as sympathisers of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM). The atmosphere of fear has been intensified by the activities of military-backed militia groups. There are also complaints of intimidation by GAM.

The authorities in Aceh have allegedly blocked the candidature of several people who have been critical of martial law and the campaign has failed to address issues, such as martial law, which are of concern to ordinary Acehnese people. A total of 21,000 troops have been deployed to provide security for the elections and severe restrictions have been placed on election monitors.

In West Papua, police yesterday reportedly shot dead an alleged supporter of the Free Papua Movement (OPM) who was trying to escape from police custody after being arrested for encouraging a boycott of the elections.

A ban on Acehnese and West Papuan national parties disenfranchises vast numbers of independence supporters who are being denied a democratic outlet for their aspirations.

Today's elections should be an important part of the democratisation process in Indonesia, but they are taking place in a context of failing reform in which the military has been allowed to resume its influential position in political and security affairs. The fight against separatism in Aceh and West Papua is being used to justify its enhanced role.

Little progress has been made in strengthening democratic institutions, establishing the rule of law and eradicating corruption, while civil society has been unable to consolidate the gains it made following the downfall of President Suharto in May 1998. Although the military has relinquished its seats in parliament, many election candidates are retired military officers. Former armed forces chief, General Wiranto, indicted on crimes against humanity charges in East Timor, is a possible candidate for the Presidential elections in July.

ENDS

Contact: Paul Barber on 01420 80153 or 0776 180 8095.

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