Violations of Human Rights and the Rights to Self-Determination of the People of Acheh

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• published: 01 Aug 2014
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Violations of Human Rights and the Rights to Self-Determination of the People of Acheh A Remark By Yusuf Daud Vice Chairman, Acheh Sumatra National Liberation Front (ASNLF) Palais Des Nations, Geneva, March 14, 2014 Mr. Moderator, Ladies and Gentleman: First of all I would like to express my genuine appreciation for your presence here today. Also to the UNPO and the Nonviolent Radical Party for having organized this conference. Brief History of Acheh Acheh is located at the northern tip of the island Sumatra, bordered by the Malacca Straits on the North and the Indian Ocean on the South and has around 6 million inhabitants. Acheh was the centre of a powerful empire for several centuries and has a long and impressive history of resistance to outside domination. Acheh is also abundantly rich in natural resources: oil, gas, gold, platinum, tin, rubber, etc. For hundreds of years before the arrival of the European powers to South-east Asia and for many centuries thereafter, Acheh remained an internationally recognized independent State having diplomatic relations with the rest of the world. The Larousse Grand Dictionnaire Universel described the Kingdom of Acheh as "the most dominant nation in the East Indies towards the end of the sixteenth and until the first half of the seventeenth century." (Volume 1, p.70, Paris 1886). When most part of the Malay archipelago were incorporated into the Dutch East Indies, Acheh happened to be one of the most difficult areas to be subdued. After the Japanese capitulation to the allied forces in August 1945, the Dutch attempted to restore their former colonial empire but Acheh was the only place where they did not even try to return. On December 27, 1949, seven years after their withdrawal from Acheh, the Dutch signed a treaty with the newly created "Indonesia" and transferred their non-existent sovereignty over Acheh to Indonesia, without referendum or consultation with the people of Acheh, and against all principles of decolonization of the UN. This is how Acheh was illegally made part of Indonesia. On the basis of the above-mentioned historical status of Acheh as an independent State, and on the basis of the Dutch illegal annexation of Acheh to Indonesia, the Acheh Sumatra National Liberation Front (ASNLF) was then established in 1976, and the re-declaration of an independent Acheh was issued on December 4 in the same year. The re-establishment of Acheh as the successor State is supported by a number of UN Resolutions, such as the Resolution 1514 (XXV), stipulating that “sovereignty over a colonial territory is not transferable by one colonial power to another”. Human rights violations Before discussing about Human rights situation in Indonesia, especially in Acheh, South Moluccas and West Papua, I would like to refresh our memories by citing some quotes from renowned human rights organisations pertaining to thirty years of armed conflicts between Acheh and Indonesia: "Violence is certainly an important part of the short history of Indonesia. The Indonesian government has systematically violated fundamental human rights for over 20 years and continues to do so with impunity." (Asia Watch Report 1990, twenty four years ago) Amnesty International, Focus on Acheh, July 1993, twenty one years ago, wrote.".....Disregard for human life is an integral part of the Indonesian security forces' approach to its work. Killings, "disappearances", arbitrary arrests, and torture have been institutionalised as the normal response to political dissent and other perceived threats to national security." The above formulations are just a sample of the situation prevailing in Acheh during the era of Military Operational Area called DOM, between 1989-1998. And this also shows us the true characteristics of Indonesia in dealing with the human rights and political problems of Acheh. The atrocities perpetrated through these years have no equal in the history of Acheh fighting against any colonial powers in the past. An estimation of about 40,000 innocent Achehnese lost their lives in military custody, in hidden mass graves, or in secret concentration camps. End of DOM After a decade of these brutalities and the downfall of Suharto in May 1998, the DOM was lifted. President BJ. Habibie and General Wiranto took the helm of the country and came to Acheh to apologize for the excesses committed by their soldiers. At long last, democracy came to Indonesia in 1999 and the era of reformation began. But unfortunately these changes did not extend to Acheh. For the people of Acheh, the year 1999 was the worst year in our history, the year of massacres. The reformist administration then introduced "Operasi Wibawa 99", Assert Authority Operation, a joint military - police operation. Its brutalities surpassed those of the DOM...