|
|
STATE
OF ACHEH |
|
|
|
CALL TO THE PRESS TO MONITOR THE FORCED PUBLIC RALLY ORGANIZED BY THE INDONESIAN MILITARY RULERS IN ACHEH ON THE OCCASION OF THE ISLAMIC NEW YEAR (FIRST MUHARRAM) Sinvr February 10, armed clashes continue to occure between the Acheh National Armed Forces and the Indonesian occupational forces especially those from the Raiders Battalions, Yonif 700 and Yonif 900 operating in Simpang Ulim, Peureulak, East Acheh. So far the TNA has suffered only one fighter fallen as martyr and two others wounded. We are still in full control of the area. During the latest combat, the enemy units have managed also to seize a rifle and several home made bombs from our fighters. Meanwhile, Ferry Santoro, the RCTI cameraman who is under our protective custody pending the finding of a safe arrangement for his release is safe and sound and is moving around with our forces. However, more worrying at the moment is the security of thousands of civilians living in the area of Simpang Ulim in constant fear for their lives. During the last 20 days, many of them have been brutalized by the TNI troops. Their civil rights totally denied and their basic human rights trampled. Among the atrocities perpetrated by the Indonesian occupational forces within this short period of time in this area are:
- 2 villagers were
shot dead for no reason at all. In addition, the Yonif 700 and Yonif 900 of the crack battalions of the TNI on operation in Simpang Ulim have ordered the gathering of the population to commemorate the commencement of the Islamic New Year at the Alue Meunuwa Dayah (religious school). A number of religious teachers have been gathered and forced to organize the event, including the mobilisation of the population. This measure has caused much anxiety among the population fearing the repeat of the incident that took place in Peureulak recently, when a bomb exploded and the Indonesian military immediately blamed GAM/TNA for that heinous deed. The fear is not without a basis because such faking has become a regular part of the Indonesian military and police modus operandi in Acheh. It is in response to this reasonable fear of the civil population that we call on the Indonesian press to attend the event and monitor the situation closely in order to discourage the Indonesian military/police from carrying out such a ploy. We take this opportunity also to warn the TNI commanders not to repeat cuch UNCIVILIZED actions because they are folling nobody but themselves. The Achehnese and the international community are very much aware of these shameless tactics of carrying out atrocities against the civil population and then blame them on GAM/TNA in their cheap propaganda. In fact, the Indonesian leadership in Jakarta are very angry at present over the reports issued by the US State Department condamning the Indonesian military for their gross violations of human rights in Acheh, that include murder, abduction and rape. Peureulak, 29 Februari 2004 signed
TGK. ISHAK DAUD |
|||
