CRISIS CENTRE DIOCESE OF AMBOINA
Jalan Pattimura 32 -- Ambon 97124 -- Indonesia
Tel 0062 (0)911 342195 Fax 0062 (0)911 355337
E-mail: crisiscentre01@hotmail.com
Ambon, September 11, 2002
THE SITUATION IN AMBON / MOLUCCAS -- Report No. 317
1. GENERAL SITUATION IN AMBON -- We are most fortunate that the Kulur killings
and the violent reaction of a Muslim mob lynching a Christian taxi driver, up to now
have not led to renewed strife. Muslims and Christians still meet one another at
certain sites, such as several markets and stores. However, Christians are still afraid
to pass through the Batumerah and Galunggung areas. Some Muslims also advise us
-- just to be sure -- not to board speedboaats to the village of Passo. By the way, today
two unexploded bombs were found at a common "Baku Bae" market place and
consequently secured by the military.
2. VOICE OF THE CONCERNED WOMEN -- In Report No. 136, February 10, 2001 we
reported rather elaborately on the "Gerakan Perempuan Peduli" (Concerned Women's
Organization). On several subsequent occasions we reported on their activities. Now
in the wake of recent dismal events, these women cannot keep silent, so to all local
newsmedia they have sent a clear statement, signed by their Protestant, Muslim and
Catholic leaders, titled: VOICING WOMEN'S CONCERN:
(1) We, the Concerned Women's Movement, want to express our innermost concern
and genuine grief in connection with a number of acts of violence that again happened
in and around Ambon. For up to now it has always been the unguilty, common civilian
that is being victimized, including women and children.
(2) Most of the victims of bomb blasts (at Mardika and the Lapangan Merdeka field), of
gunfire (village of Kulur on Saparua), of exploding land mines (Waiheru, Suli, Galala,
Porto), lynching by masses (Galunggung) are women and children. This fact is
bewildering us. And we cannot but ask this question: To what end common civilians,
and most of all women and innocent children, are being sacrificed? Has this nation's
morale sunk that low? Is not one of the five pillars of our nation, as laid down in the
"Pancasila" that we are so proud of: "Just and Respectful Humanitarianism"? If all
these wrongdoings are meant to provoke the masses in order to resuscitate another
round of interreligious conflict, we feel most sorry for those who are their mastermind
and executioners, as they canniot be looked upon any longer as human beings, since
there is no man without sense of what is right and what is wrong.
(3) We heard the military XVI Pattimura chief commander say that the violence in the
Moluccas follows a five to six months' cyclus. Sure, we are fortunate that you perceive
this tendency. But, please, allow us to ask then: why do not you as the chief
commander bring your forces in full alert in order to forestall such explosions of
violence? Do not you have plenty of personnel? Are not they specialists in matters of
security? So why does this slaughtering of innocent people go on and on?
(4) We are still convinced that the military and police forces have the needed strength.
So let not the trust of the people in both forces been shaken by the pervertedness of a
bunch of criminals that butcher people who rightly expect to be protected under the
wings of the military and police.
(5) We call upon the whole population of the Moluccas, both Muslims and Christians:
don't let yourselves been used by anyone to commit any crimes towards your fellow
human beings, for this is not acceptable before God.
(6) Thus we voice our concern. We see no other way any more what to do but
urgently beseeching the government, in this case the Civil Emergency Administrator
and the Security Forces, to mobilize your utmost care and concern towards the
safety of the numerous people in our area.
Ambon, September 10, 2002
The Concerned Women's Organization
Signed: Mrs. M.M. Hendriks -- Mrs. Lela Suat -- Sister Brigitta Renyaan PBHK
Translation: C.J.Böhm msc
Here follows the original text in Indonesian:
SUARA KEPRIHATINAN KAUM PEREMPUAN
(1) Kami Gerakan Perempuan Peduli dengan ini menyatakan keprihatinan yang dalam
dan penyesalan yang sungguh terhadap berbagai peristiwa kekerasan yang kembali
terjadi di Ambon dan sekitarnya. Sebab selama ini rakyat kecil yang tidak berdosalah
yang dijadikan korban, termasuk kaum perempuan dan anak-anak.
(2) Korban akibat ledakan born (di Mardika, Lapangan Merdeka), akibat tembakan
senapan standar (desa Kulur), akibat ledakan ranjau (di Waiheru, Suli, Galala, Porto
), akibat kekerasan massa (di Galunggung) sebagian besarnya adalah kaum
perempuan dan anak-anak. Kami bingung dengan kenyataan ini. Pertanyaan kami
adalah, untuk tujuan apakah rakyat kecil apalagi kaum perempuan dan anak-anak
yang tidak berdosa dibantai? Sudah separah itukah moral bangsa ini? Di manakah
peri kemanusiaan yang adil dan beradab yang merupakan salah satu sila dari
Pancasila, dasar negara Indonesia, yang kita banggakan itu? Kalau tujuannya untuk
memprovokasi massa agar konflik kembali meledak di Maluku, maka kami merasa
kasihan dengan para perancang dan pelakunya, sebab mereka bukan lagi manusia
karena tidak ada manusia tanpa nurani.
(3) Kami mendengar pernyataan Bapak Pangdam XVI Pattimura, bahwa kekerasan di
Ma1uku ini punya siklus 5-6 bulan dan kami bergembira bahwa Bapak Pangdam telah
melihat kecenderungan itu. Tetapi kami bertanya kenapa Pak Pangdam tidak
menyiagakan aparat keamanan di daerah ini untuk mengantisipasi ledakan kekerasan
tersebut? Bukankah jumlah personil aparat keamanan di daerah ini cukup banyak dan
mereka punya keah1ian khusus di bidang keamanan? La1u kenapa pembantaian
terhadap rakyat yang tidak berdosa terus berlangsung?
(4) Kami yakin TNI dan POLRI masih sangat kuat. Oleh karena itu jangan biarkan
kepercayaan rakyat terhadap TNI dan POLRI goyah karena setiap kali kecolongan
oleh ulah para penjahat yang membantai rakyat yang seharusnya berada di bawah
naungan TNI dan POLRI.
(5) Kami menghimbau semua masyarakat Maluku, yang Muslim maupun yang
Kristen, untuk jangan memberi diri digunakan oleh siapapun juga untuk melakukan
kejahatan kepada sesamanya manusia, sebab hal ini tidak direstui oleh Allah.
(6) Demikianlah suara keprihatinan kami sebab kami tidak tahu lagi apa yang harus
karni lakukan selain meminta dengan sangat kepedulian Pemerintah cq Penguasa
Darurat Sipil dan aparat keamanan terhadap keselamatan rakyat banyak di daerah ini.
Ambon, 10 September 2002
Gerakan Perempuan Peduli
(ttd) Ny. M.M. Hendriks, Ny. Lela Suat, Sr. Brigitta Renyaan PBHK
Reported by C.J.Böhm msc, Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina
C.J.Böhm msc,
Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina
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