Expatica Netherlands, April 29, 2002
Dutch Moluccans react to Ambon bloodshed
THE HAGUE - The exiled government of the Free South Moluccan Republic (RMS) is
considering stepping up protest actions in the Netherlands against the recent violence
on the Moluccan island of Ambon.
Twelve people were killed on the weekend when extremist Muslims armed with guns,
grenades and daggers attacked a Christian village in the former Dutch colony,
according to international sources.
It was the most serious outbreak of violence in the Moluccas since a peace deal was
signed by Christian and Muslim leaders in February 2002.
Moluccan organisations will hold a meeting on Monday in Moordrecht to discuss
"appropriate actions in The Netherlands", said RMS cabinet member J. Wattilete.
On Sunday a group of Moluccan demonstrators protested on the roof of the
International Peace Palace in The Hague, without incident.
The Dutch government over the weekend expressed its concern about the
developments in the Indonesian islands.
It called on Indonesian authorities to make a swift and peaceful end to the violence.
Dutch Moluccan organisations have opened a crisis centre in Krimpen aan den Ijssel
to gather information about the situation in Ambon.
"Also we will be considering protest actions for the Netherlands," said Wattilete.
In various places throughout The Netherlands, Moluccans have held urgent meetings
to discuss the situation.
The cabinet of the RMS has called on The Netherlands, the European Union and the
international community to take action against the situation in the Moluccas.
The exiled government has in recent years repeatedly asked for UN intervention in the
island group to curb violence.
There are currently 50,000 Moluccans living in the Netherlands.
[Copyright ANP/Expatica]
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