INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS DAY

INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS DAY

Regarding on December 10, the world commemorated International Human Rights Day in relation to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1948. This is the first global statement on human rights that cannot be denied.

The declaration states that every human being has the right to decide how and where to live his life; express opinions; worship God for his own choice, treated equally with his colleagues before the court; participate in public life, and his voice is heard in matters relating to society, the country, the common future.

Aceh is a province in Indonesia that has been associated along times with violence committed by the State of Indonesia. The story of violence in Aceh began in the last 1950s, starting with the DI / TII period (1953-1963), followed by violence due to political conflict in 1965 to 1970, pre-DOM enforcement (Military Operations Area) (1976-1989) and enforcement of DOM (1989-1998).

For 13 years since the end of the conflict between the Indonesian government and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM), there may have been peace in Aceh, but justice and truth are still hard to find. Even family members still struggle to demand justice and find out the truth of the conflict.

Today marks 13 years since the Indonesian government and the pro-independence armed movement, the Free Aceh Movement (GAM), signed a peace agreement in Helsinki. The peace agreement ended the 29-year conflict that killed between 10,000 and 30,000 people, including many civilians.

Even though the agreement might eliminate the conflict in Aceh, the failure of the authorities to provide the truth about what happened has made countless families whose lives scattered by violence still struggle to find justice, truth and reparation.

Hoping the truth about the past could be revealed emerged, when the Aceh Legislative Assembly (DPRA) – apart from the Indonesian government – appointed seven commissioners for the Aceh Truth and Reconciliation Commission – known locally as Aceh TRC – in July 2016, for the 2016 period -2021.

The formation and implementation was passed with various challenges. The 2005 Helsinki Agreement mandated that commissions be formed no more than one year after the peace agreement.

In April 2013, Amnesty International launched the Time to Face The Past report, which contained their statement that “most victims and their families have long been protected from truth, justice and recovery, and Indonesia has violated its international legal obligations. It is still waiting for local and national authorities Indonesia to recognize and improve what they and their families experienced during the conflict. “In compiling its report, Amnesty International used the results of its research during a visit to Aceh in May 2012. During the visit, representatives of organizations interviewed by NGOs, community organizations, lawyers, board members , local government officials, journalists, and victims and their representatives discussed the situation in Aceh at the interview. Victims expressed their appreciation for the peace process and increased security in the province of Aceh, but also expressed frustration at the lack of action by the Indonesian government in accordance with the 2005 memorandum of understanding which included a plan to establish a Human Rights Court in Aceh. and the Aceh Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

In addition, the Time To Face The Past report contains a warning about the potential for new violence in Aceh if the Indonesian government is still stagnant in carrying out its commitments stated in 2005. Amnesty International Deputy Director Asia Pacific Director Isabelle Arradon explained at the launch of the report. : “The situation that is happening is the emergence of seeds of dissatisfaction that can grow into new acts of violence.

On December 4, representatives of the ASLNF and Indonesia met again at the UN office in Geneva, Switzerland, in a forum on minority human rights issues. The ASLNF accused Indonesia of failing to achieve human rights after 13 years of peace between GAM and the Republic of Indonesia. Although there is recognition of the various efforts that have been made by establishing the Human Rights Court of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission or TRC.

Review by:

Tengku Malaya
Staf Dewan Pertahanan Negara Atjeh