Woro Swasti, Jakarta – The death of RCTI Television journalist Ersa Siregar remains a puzzle to this day. In order that there can be an independent investigation, international institutions are urged to be involved in the investigation of the case.

This call was made by two student organisations, the National Student League for Democracy (Liga Mahasiswa Nasional Demokrasi, LMND) and Student Solidarity for the People (Solidaritas Mahasiswa Untuk Rakyat, SMUR) at a press conference held the Kontras’ [Committee for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence] offices in Cikini, Central Jakarta, on Saturday January 3. The press conference was attended by the secretary general of LMND’s national executive and the secretary general of SMUR’s central leadership committee for Aceh, Rahmat.

“The international community needs to be given space in order to be involved in the investigation of Ersa’s death and a number of other humanitarian cases which have occurred in Aceh”, said Maeda Yoppy from LMND’s depart of data and management.

LMND and SMUR went on to ask the government to immediately end the state of emergency in Aceh and immediately return to the negotiating table.

“It is very clear that the military operation is not a political solution which is popular in the eyes of the Acehnese people. Rather, the military operation has instead only extended the protracted link of oppression and suffering in Aceh”, said Yoppy.

The two student organisations also opposed holding the general elections in Aceh if the military emergency remains in force. Finally, they pleaded with the Acehnese people to reject government policies which smack of militarism. (iy)

[Translated by James Balowski.]