Aceh 'shock therapy'

(II#68, Oct-Dec 2001)

Poulsen makes a compelling case that Aceh is re-experiencing the methods of repression - 'shock therapy' - deployed in the '90s by Suharto. But she fails to point out explicitly how the strategies of Indonesian counterinsurgency have changed. Today humanitarian workers are being targeted because they are considered sympathetic to GAM. The earlier counterinsurgency did not 'need' to take such a drastic step.

The International Forum for Aceh has worked diligently over the last two years to document human rights abuses. Critical non-violent humanitarian work is being carried out by a range of under-funded, grassroots NGOs in Aceh. Inside Indonesia readers can help by donating to: Aceh Humanitarian Assistance Fund (AHAF), Acc. No. 10096013, BSB 06 71 04, Commonwealth Bank, University of Tasmania, Churchill Avenue, Hobart, Australia. They can request updates on how the funds are being used from Lesley.McCulloch@utas.edu.au.

Robert Jereski (mutualaid@earthlink.net), former executive director, International Forum for Aceh, New York City, 13 March 2002.

Videos please

We are preparing (peaceful) actions against the celebration of 400 years VOC in Holland. We think a celebration of colonialism is not done. I am collecting videotapes and photographs about Aceh, Timor, Sulawesi, Kalimantan and West Papua and Maluku. I think it is important to show the people in Holland again what is happening in Indonesia. The tapes/ photographs are not for commercial goals!