PR.2012.11.07

Press Release

7 November 2012

THE RIGHT TO SELF-DETERMINATION IS WELL AND STILL ALIVE

European separatism

The Edinburgh agreement, signed by British Prime Minister David Cameron and First Minister of Scotland Alex Salmond on 15 October, has paved the way for a Scottish independence referendum in 2014, allowing the people of Scotland to freely determine their future whether to remain within the UK or to break away from the kingdom.

Congratulations! Long live freedom, democracy and justice!

The news has been received by a shrug in the capitals of the European Union, considering the possibility of the domino-effect which may arise upon the ”yes” vote for an independent Scotland. The fear, of course, is that the cracks in Scotland will widespread the aura of separatism to the rest of Europe.

PR.2012.06.23

Press Release

Acheh-Sumatra National Liberation Front / Atjèh Meurdéhka

June 23, 2012

Peace Without Justice and Acheh’s Growth Constraints

The Helsinki peace process is approaching its 7th year anniversary, which is on August 15th of this year. Despite its success in discontinuing Acheh’s over three decades armed conflict, the deal has yet to generate proven stability to post-conflict Acheh. Turmoil during the most recent local governor election has shown a despairing prospect of the accord. Meanwhile, uncertainty in regards to past human rights settlement and current security issues have put Acheh’s peace process in an insecure situation, just in time for the European Union (EU) and the Crisis Management Initiative (CMI) to end their peace mission in Acheh by the end of this year. Inevitably, Acheh’s future towards a sustainable peace is once again being questioned.

PR.2012.05.23

Press Release

May 23, 2012

THE IMPACT OF IMPUNITY IN ACHEH

“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

For almost three decades Acheh had become a slaughter-house, a killing field for the Indonesian armed forces, in its efforts to crush the Free Acheh Movemnet (GAM) – a popular movement to liberate Acheh from the Republic of Indonesia. During the process, thousands of Achehnese civilians had been killed, including extra judicial killings, massacres, torture, arbitrary arrests and 'disappearances'. And international and local human rights organizations had extensively documented about these atrocities.

PR.2012.04.20

Press Release

 April 20, 2012

 For opposition, Acheh still a dangerous place to live in

 Current Situation

The feast of democracy is over and Achehnese has just exercised its democratic rights to choose its governor, district heads and mayor posts in the April 9 election. Almost 7 years after the signing of Helsinki deal, ending the war between the Indonesian government and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM), Achehnese once again endured one of the most difficult periods in times of peace.