HTML pages designed & maintained by Alifuru67 Copyright © 1999/2000 - 1364283024 & 1367286044		Want to Help? CRISIS CENTRE DIOCESE OF AMBOINA Jalan Pattimura 32 - Ambon 97124 - Indonesia Tel 0062 (0)911 342195 Fax 0062 (0)911 355337 E-mail: compro@ambon.wasantara.net.id THE SITUATION IN AMBON / MOLUCCAS Report no. 136 Because there are no special events to report on the actual situation in the Moluccas being fairly conducive lately it has been quite some time since we sent a report on the conflict in the Moluccas. However, some of our readers might be interested in various efforts to pave the way to reconciliation. In this context we asked the CONCERNED WOMEN ORGANISATION to tell us about its activities. Here is their report: CONCISE INFORMATION ON THE CONCERNED WOMEN ORGANISATION ( Gerakan Perempuan Peduli ) The Concerned Women Organisation was conceived as an expression of some Moluccan women s concern in relation to the seemingly unending conflict which was and has been going on in the Moluccas since Januari 1999. The idea of such organisation was launched by Sister Francesco Moens FDNSC. The first meeting was held in the Rinamakana aula, Batumeja, Ambon, on Augusts 7, 1999. On that occasion Vice Governor Mrs. Paula Renyaan-Bataona suggested to call it Gerakan Perempuan Peduli = Concerned Women Organisation . This meeting included delegates from Moslem, Protestant and Catholic side. It was decided upon that it would be first of all a Moral Movement with the mission to Stop the Fighting and the Violence (menghentikan Pertikaian dan Kekerasan). So we, Moslem, Protestant and Catholic Women, in close cooperation, agree and are determined to make the people of the Moluccas realize that violence will not solve any contrariety. On the contrary, violence only produces more violence and will only effectuate escalatation of the conflict. In response to the fervent longing of everybody, most of all the women and children, for security, safety and peace, the goal or target of this Organisation was formulated as follows: 1. Stop the violence and the fighting. 2. Effectuate various activities (formation/guidance in both spiritual and material/econo-mic fields) in close cooperation, in order to pave the road to reconciliation. 3. Carry out reconciliation programs between the opposing factions in society. 4. Insist upon the maintaining c.q. restoring of human rights of women and children. In this scope meanwhile have been carried out various programs, among others: 1. Be united in prayer every day; if not locally, at least coming together in mind and heart. 2. Proffering the Women s Voice and the Children s Scream to the Governor, being witnessed also by other high government authorities (this was done twice, both by the christians and by the moslems). 3. Spreading and handing out 4000 small banners and small posters on which the text: STOP THE FIGHTING AND THE VIOLENCE . 4. Socialisation of the Women s Voice and the Children s Scream via local Radio, TV and newspapers. 5. Urging to put a stop to the defiling of one another s religion and ethnic roots. 6. Discussion with the Army and Police chief commanders. 7. Proffering the Women s Voice and the Children s Scream to the Provincial Legislative Council (DPRD). 8. Discussion with the Governor. 9. Discussions with Protestant and Catholic Church leaders. 10. Discussion with the Town s Legislative Council (DPRD) 11. Corroborating the workability of the Concerned Women in matters of stopping the Conflict and Violence by meetings with military and police wives organisations. 12. Trying to influence public opinion and allertness via mass media. 13. Training of female volunteers in the fields of guidance and counciling. 14. Training of female volunteers in the field of formation of youngsters. 15. Guidance for youngsters of each of the three communities. 16. Formation activities for women in the refugee camps. 17. Producing and handing out of stickers and leaflets. 18. Issuing by local TV and Radio statements of women s concern about the lack of seriousness of both the central and provincial governments in putting an end to the Moluccas conflict. 19. Requesting the world by means of letters and e-mail to take a clear stance in matters of violence and human rights in the Moluccas. 20. On July 19 we sent an urgent letter to the Presiden and four Cabinet Ministers, the Chiefs of Army and Police in Jakarta with a carbon copy to the Governor, the Police and Army Chief Commanders in Ambon, requesting evacuation en masse of all christians from the island of Ambon. That was when jihad troops together with military persons attacked the christians most savagely and we estimated that all of us would be driven into the sea. 21. Taking part in workshops and complying with invitations from local NGOs and other organisations and bodies that are concerned about the violence and the conflict and that try to cope with both women s and children s traumas. 22. Confidential / private meetings with traumatized women. 23. Providing aid to refugees in situations of emergency 24. Publishing the bulletin Ina Tabaus . 25. In cooperation with other women s organisations, organizing cheap market activities. 26. Special guidance for the groups of so-called Agas and Lingis . These are groups of children and youngsters that take part in combat. Bringing the groups in mutual contact one with another. 27. Approaching the civil war-lords, both christian and moslem. 28. Taking part in the Baku Bae campaign in Yogyakarta, Jakarta, Surabaya and Makasar. 29. Vocalizing the Moluccan women s aspirations to the National Legislative Council (DPR) in Jakarta and meeting its House Speaker Akbar Tanjung. 30. Activating refugees, specifially women and youngsters, by providing revolving funds for small business. 31. Formation and guidance in developping hidden talents and creativity among children and young people. 32. Providing a practice-oriented network of groups of people that aspire reconciliation and rebuilding of the Moluccas. 33. Organizing a large scale meeting of young people. 34. Special attention and guidance for gatherings of youngsters in the various Parish basic communities. This Concerned Women Organisation has a board consisting of three coordinators, three secretaries, three treasurers and some members. We have a selected group of formation and guidance field workers for children, youngsters and women. Our activities are financially supported by several donors. We feel grateful, since at last this struggle of us, women of the Moluccas, has been acknowledged and enjoys everybody s support. Ambon, February 9, 2001 Sister Brigita Renyaan, fdnsc Translated from Indonesian by C.J.Böhm msc, secretary Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina Received via e-mail from : Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina Copyright © 1999-2001  - Ambon Berdarah On-Line * http://www.go.to/ambon HTML pages designed and maintained by Alifuru67 * http://www.oocities.org/maluku67 Send your comments to alifuru67@egroups.com