Human Rights commentator Otto Syamsuddin Ishak asserted that an auditing process was needed before a decision was made on exit strategy options from the military emergency in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam (NAD). This was a comment on the three options proposed by the Co-ordinating Minister for Politics and Security.

“There should be an audit process on whether the goals of the military emergency, such as enforcement of the law, have been achieved. So far law enforcement has been restricted to disciplinary infractions by TNI members and violations by GAM. But there has been no law enforcement with regard to human rights abuses and corruption,” explained Otto when we contacted him in Jakarta, Friday (26/9).

Otto also holds the view that an audit needs to be done of humanitarian indicators. He gave the example of refugees. “It needs to be determined whether the refugees were forced to move in the interests of military operations or because of the resistance of the population.”

“The audit needs to encompass their situations before and after fleeing – have the refugees lost out or not? Because many refugees have claimed that they lost their assets when they fled,” explained Otto.

According to him, those who were responsible for deciding to impose the Military Emergency in NAD should join in the auditing process. He mentioned the TNI and police, the DPR that agreed with the Military Emergency status being imposed, and independent bodies.

“For the humanitarian aspect, the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) and the Indonesian Red Cross should be involved, as well as other independent bodies. So far Komnas HAM has carried out an investigation, which needs to be continued. All aspects [of the situation] need to be audited,” stated Otto.

He considers that without an audit process, there is no basis for a decision being made on the military emergency in Aceh. Indeed, in his opinion, it would be extremely authoritarian to make the decision unilaterally, with regard to nothing but the government’s own wishes, and without considering the objective situation on the ground.

Democratic Elections

Otto also emphasised the election process in Aceh. In his opinion, there can’t be a democratic election process under conditions of Military Emergency.

“The people should have the political right to exercise or not to exercise their political rights. But there will be no democratic process under conditions of Military Emergency,” stated Otto firmly.

Meanwhile, data from the Indonesian Red Cross up to 31 July shows that 283 people have died during the military emergency in Aceh. Not all of the victims were civilians.

“The frequency of evacuations of dead and injured has dropped, so there are no longer meaningful reports from the regions. The Red Cross is now concentrating on building emergency schools,” said the Head of the Communication Division of the Red Cross, Aswi R. Nugroho.

Nugroho refused to comment on the exit strategy options for Aceh. According to him, as a humanitarian body, the Indonesian Red Cross held the principle of neutrality, so did not make political comments on situations. (ega)