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Urgent Action
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"If peace does not come to Aceh...I'm afraid we will be destroyed worse than by the tsunami...Everything here begins with peace." --Rufriadi, a prominent Acehnese human rights lawyer. KAIROS is issuing this appeal for your help in pressuring the Canadian government to do all it can for a lasting and just peace and effective aid delivery for the survivors of the tsunami in Aceh, Indonesia. |
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- Introduction
- Background
- Other information from KAIROS
- Background from other organizations
- Sample letter
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Introduction |
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Indonesia’s northernmost province of Aceh was the area hardest hit by the earthquake and resulting tsunamis of December 26. Yet Aceh was already facing a crisis before the tsunami hit. Thousands of civilians have been killed and many others tortured, abducted, and displaced in a long-running military suppression of a separatist group. Armed conflict continues even as the Indonesian military takes a lead role in distributing aid.
KAIROS strongly opposes the ongoing military operation in Aceh, and the Indonesian military’s lead role in the region’s relief efforts. Military control over aid operations has prevented effective, safe and fair access to humanitarian assistance. The Indonesian army’s continued combat operations have also disrupted relief efforts, and resulted in further loss of life. Without peace, long-term reconstruction and rehabilitation will be compromised as well.
A letter expressing these grave concerns has been sent to the Canadian Ministers responsible for responding to the tsunami-earthquake crisis. KAIROS and Canadian partners also released a statement to Canadian and international media on this issue.
In response, Minister Pettigrew has taken a first step by calling for a cease fire in Aceh. While the Government of Indonesia has expressed an openness to this, no concrete action has been taken and the military offensive continues.
Public pressure is urgently needed to ensure that Canada takes a firm stand and continues to pressure Indonesia for peace, and to ensure that desperately needed aid reaches the people of Aceh. Please send a letter to the Minister of Foreign Affairs as soon as possible. A sample letter is included; however please note that personalized letters to the government are most effective. Also, please call or meet with your MPs to share these concerns.
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Background |
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While individuals and governments around the world have responded with a generous outpouring of financial support for the victims of the tsunami-earthquake disaster, the challenge now is to ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches the people in need and that the root causes of people’s vulnerability and insecurity are addressed.
This is especially true in the case of Aceh, where the disaster hit hardest, taking the lives of an estimated 160,000 people, and leaving 600,000 people homeless and reliant on emergency aid for survival.
However, it is important to understand that the earthquake and tsunami are only one of many calamities to afflict Aceh. The people of Aceh have endured decades of economic oppression and armed conflict that has resulted in gross human rights violations against the civilian population and human rights activists. KAIROS’ partners in the region have been amongst those caught up in the conflict; a partner active in monitoring human rights abuses was forced underground when martial law was introduced in 2003. (see link to UA and backgrounder)
Continuing military operations: The latest offensive began in May 2003, and is the largest military operation since the invasion of East Timor.It continues to this day, even during this time of humanitarian crisis. KAIROS has received reports of civilians injured and killed in the crossfire, and of delays in aid delivery as a result of this ongoing armed conflict. It is imperative that the military cease its offensive during this time when people’s vulnerability is heightened due to the destruction of infrastructure, mass displacement and death.
Military involvement in aid delivery: At the same time,
the military has taken control over relief operations in the region.
This is not only inappropriate, but also dangerous given the military’s
involvement in the ongoing conflict and its brutality against the
civilian population. There have also been reports of the misappropriation
and unfair distribution of aid by the military. Given that thousands
of people depend on relief assistance for their survival, civilian
oversight and monitoring are absolutely critical.
As affirmed in the 23 Principles and Good Practices of Humanitarian
Donorship, which Canada has endorsed, civilian organizations must
play a leading role to ensure effective, safe and fair access to
humanitarian assistance in conflict situations. (see link to Good
Humanitarian Donorship)
Restrictions on foreign aid groups: The Indonesian government
has further hampered aid efforts by requiring internationals to
seek permission and be accompanied by military escorts for travel
outside of the major centers of Banda Aceh and Meulaboh. Since the
most urgent humanitarian needs are located in remote west-coast
villages, this requirement has caused serious concerns for groups
like Doctors without Borders, who have suggested that they will
withdraw from the country if their neutrality is violated by a requirement
for military escorts.
Both emergency aid and long-term peace and justice are needed for
the people of Aceh. Please lend your support to those struggling
for immediate aid and a just peace in Aceh.
Click here to see the sample letter
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Other information from KAIROS |
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KAIROS letter: Ongoing Indonesian military operations and the military’s role in the delivery of aid to the tsunami-affected people of Aceh
News release: Canadian Coalition Demands Demilitarization of Aid in Aceh, as Indonesian Military Continues Attacks
Archived
urgent action, July 2003: KAIROS Partner Detained in Aceh, Indonesia
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External links |
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Good Humanitarian Donorship Principles (http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/foreign_policy/human-rights/ha-GHD-principles-en.asp)
Foreign Policy in Focus: http://www.fpif.org/papers/PR2005aceh_body.html
Indonesian Alert: Aceh’s Dual Disasters: The Tsunami and Military Rule http://www.indonesiaalert.org/article.php?id=89
Tapol: The Indonesia Human Rights Campaign: http://tapol.gn.apc.org
Tapol Aceh Backgrounder: http://www.tapol.gn.apc.org/st020131.htm
Human Rights Watch: http://www.hrw.org/doc?t=asia&c=aceh
Stop Violence after the end of Martial Law http://hrw.org/english/docs/2004/05/26/indone8618.htm
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URGENT ACTION ON AID AND ACEH – SAMPLE LETTER |
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(See also the urgent action text, and links to further information found at the end of the action text.)
To: Hon. Pierre Pettigrew, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Re: Peace, human rights and effective aid needed in Aceh, Indonesia
Honourable Pierre Pettigrew:
I am writing to express my grave concern about the ongoing military
operation in Aceh, and the Indonesian military’s lead role
in the region’s relief efforts.
Many Canadians have given generously to the tsunami relief effort
and want to make sure that their contributions reach those in need.
I am alarmed that the Indonesian military is continuing its combat operations during this time of humanitarian crisis. The tsunami-earthquake disaster hit Aceh the hardest, and has left its entire population even more vulnerable to violence and abuse due to the complete destruction of infrastructure, mass displacement and death. This continuing military offensive has already resulted in further loss of life and disrupted relief efforts. As aid agencies and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs have pointed out, an ongoing war will make it difficult, if not impossible for genuine reconstruction and development to take place.
Furthermore, in a war zone such as Aceh it is simply unacceptable that a party to the conflict be in charge of relief operations. There have been reports of the misappropriation and unfair distribution of aid by the military. Given that thousands of people depend on relief assistance for their survival, civilian oversight and monitoring are absolutely critical. I am also concerned that the Indonesian government has further hampered aid efforts by requiring internationals to seek permission and be accompanied by military escorts for travel outside of Banda Aceh and Meulaboh.
As affirmed in the 23 Principles and Good Practices of Humanitarian Donorship, which Canada has endorsed, civilian organizations must play a leading role to ensure effective, safe and fair access to humanitarian assistance in conflict situations.
For Canada’s urgently needed assistance to reach and benefit the people of Aceh, I urge you to:
1. Press the Indonesian government to unequivocally declare a cease fire and lift the state of civil emergency in Aceh. These immediate steps should be followed by negotiations with the armed separatist movement (GAM) to ensure that a ceasefire is upheld and long term peace can be achieved. This peace process should include civil society involvement and be conducted under some form of international guarantee.
2. Press the Indonesian government to allow international organizations to provide assistance outside of military channels and to distribute aid directly and through local NGOs. Only if the military is disarmed and placed under civilian oversight should it be allowed to carry out humanitarian and reconstruction tasks.
4. Press the Indonesian government to allow unrestricted access
to the
entire province by international and Indonesian civil society organizations
to allow for international monitoring and media reporting on relief
efforts and human rights conditions.
5. Take rigorous steps to ensure that aid efforts are not compromised
by military and government corruption.
6. Guarantee that Canadian aid is not used for military purposes.
Canada must do what it can to guarantee lasting peace and effective humanitarian and reconstruction assistance for the people of Aceh.
I look forward to your response to these urgent concerns.
Sincerely,
Please send your letter to the Foreign Minister, and CC the people listed below. Please remember to cc KAIROS! This helps us track the response to the action. MANY THANKS for your support.
The Hon. Pierre Pettigrew, Minister for Foreign Affairs
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada
K1A 0G2
pettigrew.p@parl.gc.ca
Telephone:
(613) 995-1851
Fax:
(613) 996-3443
********
The Hon. Aileen Carroll, Minister for International Co-operation
Canadian International Development Agency
Minister's Office (MIN)
200 Promenade du Portage
Gatineau, Quebec
Canada
K1A 0G4
carroll.a@parl.gc.ca
Telephone:
(819) 953-6238
Fax:
(819) 953-8525
*************
Bill Graham, Minister of National Defence
101 Colonel By Drive
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada
K1A 0K2
graham.b@parl.gc.ca
Telephone:
(613) 996-3100
Fax:
(613) 995-8189
Nancy Slamet
Programme Coordinator
International Human Rights (Asia/Middle East)
KAIROS
129 St. Clair Avenue West
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4N 1N5
Telephone: 416.463.5312 Ext. 226
Fax: 416.463.5569
Email: nslamet@kairoscanada.org
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