PETITION OF THE FREE ACHEH MOVEMENT

PETITION OF THE FREE ACHEH MOVEMENT

(GERAKAN ACHEH MERDEKA/GAM)

9 February 2016

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The peace agreement signed between Free Acheh Movement (GAM) and the Government of Indonesia (GoI) on 15 August 20005 in Helsinki, was the noble political aim to bring peace, justice and prosperity for the Achehnese people. All stakeholders have pledged their full commitment to resolve the conflict with dignity for all sides, comprehensively and continuously.

Both sides are fully confident that with this peaceful solution to end the conflict the post tsunami reconstruction in Acheh could be successful and fully developed.

Unfortunately, ten years after the signing of the Peace agreement, GAM have monitored, evaluated and considered that there are still many outstanding issues that have not been implemented consistently by the Government of Indonesia – both central and the regional government of Acheh, to create real peace, justice and prosperity for Acheh. Amongst the points that have not been implemented in clauses of the Memorandum of Understanding in Helsinki, are:

1.1.5. Aceh has the right to use regional symbols including a flag, a crest and a hymn.

1.3.1. Aceh has the right to raise funds with external loans. Acheh has the right to set interest rates beyond that set by the Central Bank of the Republic of Indonesia.

1.4.4. The appointment of the Chief of the organic police forces and the prosecutors shall be approved by the head of the Acheh administration. The recruitment and training of organic police forces and prosecutors will take place in consultation with and with the consent of the head of state of Acheh administration in compliance with the applicable national standards.

2.2. A Human Rights Court will be established for Acheh.

2.3. A Commission of Truth and Reconciliation will be established for Acheh by the Indonesian Commission of Truth and Reconciliation with the task of formulating and determining reconciliation measures.

3.2.5. GoI will allocate suitable farming land as well as funds to the authorities of Acheh for the purpose of facilitating the reintegration to society of the former combatants and the compensation for political prisoners and affected civilians. The authorities of Acheh will use the land and funds as follows:

All former combatants will receive an allocation of suitable farming land, employment or, in the case of incapacity to work, adequate social security from the authorities of Acheh.

b) All pardoned political prisoners will receive an allocation of suitable farming land, employment or, in the case of incapacity to work, adequate social security from the authorities of Acheh..

c). All civilians who have suffered a demonstrable loss due to the conflict will receive an allocation of suitable farming land, employment or, in the case of incapacity to work, adequate social security from the authorities of Acheh.

3.2.6. The authorities of Acheh and GoI will establish a Joint Claims Settlement Commission to deal with unmet claims.

GAM as the other stakeholder in the MoU Helsinki, and under the name of the Achehnese people demand the Indonesian Government to immediately fulfil the unimplemented clauses of the agreement. GAM also specifically demand the Acheh regional government to further deveop Acheh in line with the MoU Helsinki and the aspirations of the Achehnese people in upholding peace, justice and prosperity as a dignified people in the eyes of the world.

We issue this petition with the sincere intention of upholding peace in Acheh and to prevent the re-emergence of armed resistance group(s) who is disappointed with the outcome of the peace agreement that is on-going till this day.

GAM shall continue striving for the aspirations of the Achehnese people in achieving eternal peace, justice and prosperity.

Bakhtiar Abdullah

Cordinator of GAM

Member of GAM Delegation during Helsinki Talks

koordinatorgam@gmail.com