Six activists arrested by security forces in Aceh

Kompas Cyber Media – February 24, 2004
Activists from Kontras Aceh (Tribune)
Activists from Kontras Aceh (Tribune)

Heru Margianto, Jakarta – Six Acehnese activists have been arrested by security forces in Central Aceh. One has already been released but as of Tuesday February 24, the whereabouts of the other five remains unknown. The reason for the arrests is unclear.

This information was conveyed to journalists by the spokesperson of Aceh Papua Solidarity (Solidaritas Aceh Papua, SAP), Thamrin Ananda, at the offices of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) in Jakarta on Tuesday. He was accompanied by Dita Indah Sari from the Mardhika Women’s Working Group (Kelompok Kerja Perempuan Mardhika, KKPM).

The five Aceh activists who’s whereabouts are still unknown are Iwan Irawan Putra, Harlina and Masrizal (all three are activists from the Lingke Association of University and High-School Students, Mahasiswa dan Pelajar Lingke, IMPEL) and Nursida and Nova Rahayu (both from the Women’s Organisation for a Democratic Aceh, Organisasi Perempuan Aceh Demokratik, Orpad). Meanwhile, Syaffruddin, an activist from Student Solidarity for the People (Solidaritas Mahasiswa untuk Rakyat, SMUR) has been released.

“The arrests of the IMPEL, SMUR and Orpad activists occurred between February 19 to 23. The arrests were conducted without the correct legal procedures, without warrants or explicate charges”, said Ananda.

Hunted down

Ananda added that as well as these six activists, three other IMPEL activists, Muhsin, Munzir and Ratna are currently being hunted down by security forces. Ratna was able to escape when security personal from the Lingke Mobile Brigade raided Nursida’s house.

At the time, Nursida, Nova Rahayu and Ratna were at the house when security forces arrived in three vehicles, two Kijangs and a Reo. Ratna escaped by climbing a wall while the raid was in progress.

Ananda called on security forces to explain the whereabouts of their friends and for their immediate release. Efforts to provide legal defence though a lawyer have been difficult because security forces have denied making the arrests. (prim)

[Translated by James Balowski.]