Banda Aceh, 15 August 2005

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the government of Indonesia and the Acehnese Freedom Movement (GAM) on 15th August in Helsinki, as a tangible commitment on both sides to end the conflict in the land called Aceh Nanggroe Darussalam (“Land of Peace”), represents an intelligent and genuine step which should elicit support from all sectors of society. It is hoped that this announcement will soon give rise to a process leading towards a permanent peace in Aceh.

It is recognized that this historic announcement represents the end of a long and exhausting wait on the part of those who crave peace, especially among the communities of the victims. There is so much hope hanging on this understanding shaped by the Republic of Indonesia and GAM. Observance and respect for the commitment which has just been created, remains one of the keys to establishment of a long-term and productive peace process.

Accordingly, support for this peace agreement is most important, because it will speed up the emergence of a sense of mutual trust, as a condition for the emergence of a more binding and extensive peace process. But it is recognized that each step taken in the process has the potential for failure in the said peace pact. The failure of the talks at the time of the “Cessation of Hostilities Agreement” (COHA), must serve as a historic and valuable experience, which should not be repeated. So, care must be taken to monitor and ensure that all steps in this process are in keeping with the framework of the agreement, which is important that all sectors of civil society follow.

Components of civil society right now are not in a position to wait. An active response followed by concrete efforts will serve to encourage and strengthen the peace pact, and should be a priority of the agenda. This in itself will also fill an empty public space which remains open. This civil society gap should benefit maximally by the creation of a new system of government NAD (Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam) – based on respect for humanitarian and democratic values.

Humanitarian and democratic values are two issues, which up to now have not been pursued as was hoped. The bitter conflict not only resulted in human rights victims while hidden feelings of resentment remained under the surface. But they also sowed seeds with a potential to kill democracy. Democracy can never flourish in a zone of violent conflict. Meanwhile the conflict of course arose because the values and spirit of democracy were not observed. These are like two sides of a coin which are mutually reflective,

Starting from the above reflections, we, the KOMPONEN MASYARAKAT SIPIL (Component of Acehnese Civil Society) propose the following ideas:

1. Support the Peace Agreement as a means to end the violent conflict between the Indonesian Government and GAM, with the aim of shaping a dignified peace, based on a spirit of respect for human rights and democratic values.

2. Put pressure on all the parties to respect and commit themselves to create a climate of calm and not to engage in acts of violence or intimidation in the Acehnese peace process.

3. Pressure both groups to open a space for public participation as a form of civil society action, in order to formulate the necessary skills and conditions for a peaceful and democratic Aceh.

4. Invite all the components of civil society to monitor, support, watch over and establish through concrete actions the peace process which is shaping up and moving ahead as a reflection of the spirit of understanding which now exists between the Republic of Indonesia and GAM.

Members of KOMPONEN MASYARAKAT SIPIL

(Translated, August 17, 2005 by Prof. Judith Nagata, York Centre for Asian Research)

Top of page

Global Partnerships | Middle East| Partner List| Links to Partners

KAIROS
Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives
129 St. Clair Ave. West • Toronto, ON • Canada • M4V 1N5
Tel: 416-463-5312 | Toll-free: 1-877-403-8933| Fax: 416-463-5569