Aceh problem

Aceh problem

Introduction

1        Oil and gas rich province Aceh, lies in the northern part of island of Sumatra, has been entangled in a 27 years old conflict which has already claimed an estimated 13,000 lives. "Free Aceh movement" (Gerakan Aceh Merdeka – GAM) or more properly calls itself the "Aceh Sumatra National Liberation Front" (ASNLF) led by Tengku Hasan, is fighting with the Indonesian government for the independence of Aceh. The military campaigns that have launched by the government have created more hatred between the government and GAM.

Background

2        In 1949, the Dutch signed an illegal treaty with Indonesia which handed over the sovereignty of Aceh (A country they had failed to conquer) to Indonesia. This treaty had violated the principle of decolonization and all major UN general assembly resolutions against colonialism. The ASNLF was formed as an attempt to fulfill the quest of Acehnese people to liberate them from Indonesia. The ASNLF had twice submitted its report to UN for the prevention of discrimination and protection of minorities. Acehnese armed struggle for self determination had became a case at UN. There has been many confrontation between the government forces and Aceh rebels and too many people have been affected during this long period of conflict.

Current situation

3        The crackdown against GAM rebels began when Jakarta abandoned an internationally sponsored peace process aimed at ending the ongoing separatist war, which has been going on for 27 years. The peace talk was held in Tokyo, The Indonesian government was ready to grant special autonomy to Aceh but it was not accepted by GAM.

4        Now the Martial law in Indonesia's Aceh province have been downgraded to a state of civil emergency in 19 May 04. When Indonesia launched its military operation last May, martial law was initially imposed for six months. It was extended for another six months in November.

5        The Indonesian military says it has killed about 2,000 members of GAM, and captured 3,000 others, since last May. But human rights groups say most of the dead are innocent

6        Acehnese civilians. Many parts of Aceh are now more secure than they were last May, but the rebels remain an active fighting force.

7        There are real concerns about who will be in charge of Aceh under the new state of civil emergency. The local government is widely regarded as corrupt and incompetent and the governor is currently under investigation for misuse of funds. 

Comments

8        If we trace back the history of Aceh we can find history’s oldest independent states in the world that had successfully resisted all attempts to colonise it by foreign colonialism, eventually lost its independence to Asian colonialism. That is at the time when colonialism was declared ‘an international crime’ by the UN, and when acquisition of territory by force is considered illegal under International Law? That state is Aceh. So, the need is to be given a chance to decide their future and legitimate self-determination through referendum or Direct ballot, whether they want to be an independent state or not.

9        The people of Aceh have closely seen the independence to East Timor three years ago. it is believed to have encouraged the GAM to take their ultimate stand against Indonesian government.