Acheh: Call for political settlement to Aceh conflict
Call for political settlement to Aceh conflict
01,10,2003
The complexity of the situation in Indonesia was one of the few points on which speakers could agree at Wednesday's meeting of the Development Committee with NGO representatives from Aceh and Papua and Malik Mahmoud of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM), an armed rebel group. Didier ROD (Greens/EFA, F), who organised this debate, stressed that discussions should centre on human rights in these provinces and not the political demands of the various speakers. He was sorry to note that no representative of the Indonesian government was present, as the aim of the meeting had been to bring together all parties concerned. He also emphasised that any statements made were the responsibility of the speakers and should in no way be interpreted as constituting support from the European Parliament for an armed movement.
The purpose of the debate was to follow up the resolution adopted by Parliament on 5 June on the situation on Aceh and Papua. In Aceh the civil war has been going on for 41 years. Martial law was imposed in May 2003 and Papua may soon face a similar situation. The conflict is taking place far from the eyes of the international community and humanitarian aid cannot be delivered to the civilian population. This was the main concern of MEPs, who expressed support for representatives of human rights NGOs, Mr John Rumbiak of Papua and Mr Aguswandi of Aceh, who called for all sides in the conflict to come to the negotiating table. The members of the Development Committee believe the conflict to be a political one which must be settled by political means. The calls for autonomy or independence by the rebel movements have prompted a hostile response from the central government in Jakarta. However, MEPs stressed that the fight against terrorism and the desire to defend the unity of national territory must not be used as pretexts for human rights violations by the army, which is all-powerful in Indonesia.
Nirj DEVA (EEP-ED, UK) and Miguel Angel MARTINEZ MARTINEZ (PES, E) said they were against the holding of this debate. They pointed to the risk that Indonesia might implode and the attendant dangers.
01.10.2003 Committee on Development and Cooperation
In the chair: Margrietus van den BERG (PES, NL)
