Jakarta, Kompas CyberMedia
Friday, 13 June, 2003

The National Human Rights Commission’s Ad Hoc Peace Observer Team in Aceh has stated, after a field visit to Banda Aceh and Bireuen from 5 June to 9 June, that a number of breaches of humanitarian law have taken place there. Among others, the breaches have included extra-judicial killings and sexual harassment.

The Human Rights Commission’s findings were related to journalists at the Commission’s Jakarta office by Deputy Chairman of the Commission Zoemrotin KS, the Chairman of the Ad Hoc Team, MM Billah, Ita Nadia from the Women’s National Human Rights Commission, and Children’s Human Rights Commission member Marzuki.

Billah gagged himself with a black cloth as a sign of protest because his statements on the Aceh situation have been considered too critical by the government and military.

Then Zoemrotin told of the findings of the team from interviewing five people - eyewitnesses, relatives and neighbours of the seven people shot at a fishpond between the villages of Alue Glumpang, Matang Mamplam and Cot Rabo Tunong.

“A woman testified that her husband had been killed in the yard of their home. From this we can say that there are strong indications that extra judicial killings are taking place,” said Zoemrotin.

Concerning sexual harassment, Zoemrotin spoke about the ad hoc team’s examination of two victims of rape and five victims of sexual harassment. “According to these witnesses, the perpetrators wore black vests and brown shirts with the word ‘Brimob’ (Police Mobile Brigade) written on the back,” he said, while asking that the names of the witnesses and their village not be published for their safety.

Billah stated that the information gathered by the Commission “did not come from a rubbish bin, but from witnesses.” Based on their findings, Billah suggested that the best recommendation the Commission could give is that the war should be stopped.

“This war is causing ever more casualties. It is not just the schools that have been burnt. It is not just the fields that have been ruined. It’s not just the material damage but the loss of life. Children have lost their futures,” stated Billah. (prim).