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, August 9, 2004
THE SITUATION IN THE MOLUCCAS - Report No. 446
1. REPORT BY OCHA - The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
(OCHA) in Ambon reports on August 5, 2004 as follows: Several isolated violence and
negative rumours are still rife in the province. Since the last major violence in April
2004, there has been steady improvement in the security situation. The invisible
demarcation line between the Muslim and Christian communities in Ambon City is
gradually disappearing. Both communities have began to use common commuter
terminals and several international organisations have resumed operations from their
offices that are located in areas previously considered sensitive during the April
violence.
The trials of alleged Maluku Sovereignty Front (FKM) members in the Ambon District
Court have been running smoothly under tight security protection. In addition, the
Secretary-General of FKM, the wife of its runaway leader, and another 17 [FKM]
members have gone for trial. The defendants are charged for their involvement in
activities that caused renewed violence at the end of April.
On July 27, the Head of OCHA Maluku Sub-Office, returned to Ambon.
2. SENTENCE DEMANDED FOR MINISTER - The Jakarta Post newspaper of August
7 reports on the arrest and trial of a Protestant Minister, Rev. Agustinus Sahertian
alias Avner He was arrested by the police on April 27, 2004, when distributing leaflets
to passersby after renewed unrest erupted in Ambon city. On August 6, at the
session of the Ambon District Court, the prosecution demanded a sentence of two
years in prison for attempting to incite people. The leaflets urged people to wage war
against the Indonesian Military and the hard-line Laskar Jihad group. According to the
prosecution, the move could have prolonged unrest in Ambon.
Reported from Jakarta by C.J.Böhm msc, Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina
C.J.Böhm msc,
Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina |
