The Sentinel Project for Genocide Prevention

Indonesia

This large nation of islands is both ethnically and religiously diverse, with many minority groups who find their rights abused and subordinated to the political and economic interests of the state and dominant culture. A variety of conflicts of varying intensities have been ongoing for decades throughout the country, notably in Aceh and Papua.

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Background Information

Area: 1.9 million sq km
Population: 232 million (UN, 2010)
Ethnic groups: Javanese 40.6%, Sudanese 15%, Madurese 3.3%, Minangkabau 2.7%, Betawi 2.4%, Bugis 2.4%, Banten 2%, Banjar 1.7%, other or unspecified 29.9% (2000 census)
Life expectancy: 68 years (m), 72 years (f) (UN) Religion: Muslim 86.1%, Protestant 5.7%, Roman Catholic 3%, Hindu 1.8%, other or unspecified 3.4% (2000 census)
Gross National Income per capita: US $3,716 (UNDP, 2011)
Gross Domestic Product ranking: 16, US $846,832 million (World Bank, 2011)
Human Development ranking: 124, 0.617 (UNDP, 2011)
Military expenditure ranking: 41, 3% of GDP (CIA, 2005 est.)
Main exports: Oil and gas, plywood, textiles, rubber, palm oil
Natural resources: Petroleum, tin, natural gas, nickel, timber, bauxite, copper, fertile soils, coal, gold, silver.
Communications Telephone – mobile cellular: 220 million (2009) Internet users: 20 million (2009)
Internally Displaced Persons: 180,000 (government offensives against rebels in Aceh; most IDPs in Aceh, Central Kalimantan, Central Sulawesi Provinces, and Maluku) (2011)

Indonesian Diaspora: 5,313,000 estimated Permanent Residents in Canada, 2010: 731 (CIC)

Leaders and Political Legacy

President: Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono – the former army general won Indonesia’s first- ever direct presidential election in Sept 2004, in what was hailed the first peaceful transition of power in Indonesia’s history. Re-elected in July 2009 in a landslide victory on the back of improved security and strong growth in Southeast Asia’s biggest economy.

Nongovernmental Organisations Operations

Law: As Indonesia underwent constitutional amendment in 1999-2002, a set of human rights provisions mirroring the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was inserted in the second amendment in August 2000. Apart from the legal basis regarding the freedom of association and the freedom of expression that provides space for CSO activities, the status of legal entity or organizational form for CSOs are regulated in different laws. The Bill on Societal Organizations is now pending in Parliament. Many CSOs in Indonesia believe that the Bill will negatively impact the legal framework for CSOs. The Bill is expected to address issues related to foreign NGOs, the dissolution of societal organizations, and acts of violence by societal organizations.

Local NGOs:

Action Relief, Sigli, Indonesia
Centre for Regional Information and Studies (PATTIRO),Jakarta Selatan, Indonesia
Homenet Indonesia (MWPRI), Malang, Indonesia
Institute for Research and Empowering Society (INRES), Surakarta, Indonesia
Institution for Development of Rural and Indigenous People (IDRAP), Kendari, Indonesia
Interfaith Communication Forum , Karawang, Indonesia
Komando Barisan Rakyat/ KOBRA, Karawang, Indonesia
Committee for Peace and Democracy Monitoring, Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, Indonesia
Komite Pemantau Aparatur Negara Republik Indonesia (KOPANRI), Jakarta Timur, Indonesia
Research Centre for Aceh Development Studies (ReCADev), Lhokseumawe, Indonesia Women Initiative and Children Education Foundation, Sigli, Indonesia Institute of Potency Community Motivator, Sukun Malang, Indonesia Yayasan Pusaka Indonesia, Medan, Indonesia

Current International Monitors:
Genocide Watch, May 2012 report – ‘polarization’ – Christians at risk from Islamists.

Conflict History

East Timor independence vote

1999 Ethnic violence breaks out in Maluku. Free elections are held in Indonesia.
East Timor votes for independence in UN-sponsored referendum, after which anti- independence militia go on the rampage. East Timor comes under UN administration. Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur) becomes president

2000 Two financial scandals dog the Wahid administration: Buloggate (embezzled funds from the state logistics agency), and Bruneigate (missing humanitarian aid funds from the Sultan of Brunei). The corruption case against former President Suharto collapses. Irian Jaya (formerly West Papua) separatists become more vocal in demanding a referendum.

2001 Ethnic violence in Kalimantan as indigenous Dayaks force out Madurese transmigrants. Mass political demostrations by Wahid’s supporters and opponents. IMF stops further loans citing lack of progress in tackling corruption. Megawati sworn in

2001 July – Parliament dismisses President Wahid over allegations of corruption and incompetence. Vice President Megawati Sukarnoputri is sworn in as his replacement, even as Wahid refuses to leave the presidential palace.

2002 January – Indonesia inaugurates human rights court which is expected to test government’s willingness to hold the military accountable for atrocities in East Timor after the 1999 independence vote.
Irian Jaya province granted greater autonomy by Jakarta, allowed to adopt locally- preferred name of Papua.

2002 May – East Timor becomes independent. 2002 October – Bomb attack on the Kuta Beach nightclub district on Bali kills 202 people, most of them tourists.
Muslim cleric Abu Bakar Ba’asyir is arrested shortly after the bombings. He is accused of plotting to overthrow the government as the alleged spiritual leader of Jemaah Islamiah (JI), the group thought to be behind the Bali bombing. 2002 December – government and separatist Free Aceh Movement (Gam) sign peace deal in Geneva, aimed at ending 26 years of violence. The accord provides autonomy and free elections in the Muslim oil-rich province of Aceh ; in return the Gam must disarm.

2003 May – Peace talks between government and Gam separatists break down; government mounts military offensive against Gam rebels. Martial law is imposed.

2003 August – Car bomb explodes outside the Marriot Hotel in Jakarta killing 14 people.
2003 August-October – Three Bali bombing suspects are found guilty and sentenced to death for their roles in the 2002 attacks. A fourth suspect is given life imprisonment.
Abu Bakar Ba’asyir is cleared of treason but jailed for subversion and immigration offences. The subversion charge is later overturned.

2004 September – Car bomb attack outside Australian embassy in Jakarta kills 9, injures more than 180.
2004 November – End of two year process under which 18 people were tried by Indonesian court for human rights abuses in East Timor during 1999 crisis. Only one conviction – that of militia leader Eurico Guterres – is left standing. 2005 March – Court find Muslim cleric Abu Bakar Ba’asyir guilty of conspiracy over 2002 Bali bombings, sentences him to two-and-a-half years in jail. Freed in June 2006.

2005 August – Government and Free Aceh Movement separatists sign a peace deal providing for rebel disarmament and the withdrawal of government soldiers from the province. Rebels begin handing in weapons in Sept; govt completes troop pull-out in Dec. 2005 October – Three suicide bombings on the resort island of Bali kill 23 people, including the bombers.

2006 January – East Timorese report accuses Indonesia of widespread atrocities during its 24-year occupation, holding it responsible for the deaths of more than 100,000 people.

2007 June – Police capture the alleged head of the militant group Jemaah Islamiah (JI), Zarkasih, and the leader of the group’s military wing, Abu Dujana.

2008 November – Three Islamic militants convicted of carrying out the 2002 Bali bombings are executed.

2009 July – Twin suicide attacks on the Marriott and Ritz-Carlton hotels in Jakarta kill 9 people and injure scores of others.
Pressure mounts on militants

2009 September – Police shoot Indonesia’s most wanted Islamist militant Noordin Mohammad Top, thought to be linked to JI in Aceh province. 14 men are charged with plotting to launch terrorist attacks. 2010 March – POlice shoot dead Dulmatin – an alleged leader member of JI and the last main suspect in the 2002 Bali bombings still at large – during a raid on Jakarta internet cafe.

2010 October – Indonesia admits that men seen torturing Papuan villagers in a video are members of the military.

2011 February – Two churches are set alight in central Java during a protest by hundreds of Muslims about blasphemy. Three members of the Ahmadiyah sect, a minority Muslim group, are bludgeoned to death in a mob attack in West Java.

2011 June – Radical cleric Abu Bakar Ba’asyir gets 15 year jail sentence for backing an Islamist militant training camp.

2012 March – Court sentences Islamist Pepi Fernando to 18 years in prison for a parcel- bombing campaign targeting Muslim leaders and police.

Timeline: Recent events of notable violence
Dec-Jan 2012 Wave of shootings in Aceh left 13 dead; some claim attempt to force postponement of elections on security grounds.

9 Jan 2012 2 workers shot dead in ongoing Freeport mine violence, despite end of 3 month strike.

26 Jan 2012 Govt pledged to revoke mining permit after thousands rioted, 2 killed in Bima, Sumbawa, over feared environmental degradation.

30 June 2012 International criticism followed court treason indictment of 5 Papuan activists who raised flag in pro-independence rally last Oct.
Feb 2012 Rival candidates in Puncak district election dispute charged with inciting violence after over 6 months of clashes between supporters.

7 Feb 2012 Paramilitary policeman killed near Freeport-McMoRan mine, bringing total killed by unidentified gunmen in area to 15 since Oct.

14-16 Feb 2012 Ahead of Tolikara district elections in Papua, rival political supporters clashed killing at least 6.

23 Feb 2012 5 attacks on supporters of gubernatorial candidate Irwandi Yusuf in East Aceh.

27 Feb 2012 Supreme Court restored radical cleric Abu Bakar Ba’asyir’s terrorism sentence to 15 years after reduced to 9 years on appeal in Oct 2011.
March 2012 Series of arson attacks in Aceh late in the month. 10 March 2012 6 men, most Free Aceh Movement (GAM) members and Partai Aceh
supporters arrested, charged over politically motivated murders, plot on likfe of current governor.

16 March 2012 5 Papuans sentenced to 3 years in prison for role in declaration of independence at Oct 2011 Third Papuan People’s Congress

18 March 2012 Indonesian counter-terrorism police killed 5 suspected terrorists in Bali, allegedly planning roberries

21 March 2012 bombing outside Indonesia Embassy in Paris reportedly intended as warning against Indonesian govt anti-terror crackdown, French fugitive militant with links to Indonesian terrorist groups suspected. 27-30 March

2012 Police forcibly displaced large-scale protests across Indonesia against govt fuel subsidy reductions, demonstrators attempted to storm parliament; govt agreed to limit price increase.
30 March 2012 Counter-terrorism police shot dead 2 alleged terrorists in Jakarta, prompting new concerns over police tactics.

8 April 2012 Flights to Puncak Jaya, Papua, suspended after sniper fired on small aircraft killing 1 journalist, injuring 4 others.

14 April 2012 Partai Aceh (PA) member Ayah Banta arrested accused of heading hit squad responsible for Dec, Jan election-related killings.

20 April 2012 Mob attacked, vandalised minority Ahmadiyah Muslim sect mosque in West Java; Former Democrat Party treasurer Muhammed Nazaruddin convicted of corruption, jailed for 5 years 15 May 2012 1 Papuan shot dead, 3 wounded by paramilitary police at gold mining site in Degeuwo, Paniai, police to launch internal investigation; 55 injured in clash between Christian and Muslim groups in Ambon

17 May 2012 Suspected Free Papua Movement (OPM) atacj killed 1, injured 3 in Puncak Jaya; 6 suspects linked to September 2011 deadly unrest in Ambon arrested.

29 May 2012 Stirring of shootings begin, 3 killed, 6 wounded – police say members of W Papua National Committee (KNPB) responsible

2-20 June 2012 4 killed in ongoing clashes between tribal groups in Timika 6 June 2012 1 killed in Wamena after soldiers rioted following stabbing of soldier.

7 June 2012 Police killed a man in Jayapura 14 June 2012 Police killed KNPB deputy chair Mako Tabuni, claimed he resisted arrest; several other KNPB figures, including leader Buchtar Tabuni, arrested for alleged role in shootings 18 June 2012 Labour clashes with ethnic overtones in Batam killed 1 21 June 2012 2002 Bali bombing suspect Umar Patek found guilty of mass murder, sentenced to 20 years jail

23 June 2012 Former Aceh governor Irwandi Yusuf assaulted by Partai Aceh (PA) thugs while returning from installation of PA governor; PA truck fired on later that night by unknown gunmen

Minority Groups
The lot of Papuans has not improved markedly since 2005. Compared to the Javanese and other ethnic groups, the Papuans continue to be hugely under-represented in most employment categories. Violence against Papuans has not ceased, nor have the activities of rebel groups such as the Free Papua Movement (OPM). Although the Indonesian government has declared Papua an autonomous province, Papuans have complained that this is a ploy to divide the independence movement. They have also complained that they are still being actively discriminated against by the state.

In many parts of Indonesia groups like the Dayaks and Papuans, whose culture is closely connected to the traditional land and forest usages, often find their livelihoods threatened by large-scale logging and mining projects, such as the gold and copper mine run by the US corporation Freeport McMoRan in Papua.

In May 2007 the US Commission on International Religious Freedom placed Indonesia on a ‘watch list’ for countries that require close monitoring due to the nature and extent of violations of religious freedom engaged in or tolerated by their governments. The Commission was concerned about the Indonesian government’s inability or unwillingness to hold those responsible for sectarian violence to account, and the growing political power and influence of religious extremists who it identified as training, recruiting and operating in Central and South Sulawesi. It particularly highlighted the closure or damage of minority places of worship – at least 9 Protestant churches, 4 Ahmadiyah mosques, and one Hindu temple have been closed or damaged in areas of West Java, North Sumatra, South Sulawesi and West Nusa Tengarra as a result of the influence of ‘extremist’ groups who incited mobs and/or intimidated local officials in the 2006/2007 reporting period of the Commission.

17 Christians were jailed under Indonesian anti-terrorism laws in July 2007 for the murder of 2 Muslims. The two Muslims fishmongers were attacked in Poso, Sulawesi, in September 2006 by a mob angry at the execution in the same year of three Christians convicted of leading a group that killed hundreds of Muslims at a boarding school during inter-religious violence in Poso in 2000.

In its August 2007 report the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racism (CERD) expressed concern at the distinction made between Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism and Confucianism, which are often referred to in legislation, and other religions and beliefs’ and the adverse impact of such a distinction on the rights to freedom of thought, conscience and religion of persons belonging to ethnic groups, and indigenous peoples’. It noted with particular concern that under Law No.23 of 2006 on Civic administration, individuals are to mention their faiths on legal documents such as identity cards and birth certificates, and that those wishing either to leave the column blank or to register under one of the ‘non-recognized’ religions, reportedly face discrimination and harassment’. The Committee also expressed concern that men and women of different religions face great difficulties in officially registering their marriages, and that their children are not provided with birth certificates, as acknowledged by the State party’. In June 2008, Islamist mobs attacked Ahmadiyah Muslims, whom they accused of heresy for their belief that Mohammad was not the last prophet. While the government decried the violence and detained some of the perpetrators, human rights organizations saw the roots of the violence in a government committee’s April 2008 recommendation that the sect be banned. Following the June attacks, the government issued a decree that did no ban Ahmadiyah, but did warn its adherents that they faced potential arrest under Indonesian laws on the protection of religion.

Tensions between the Outer Islands and Java mean that resource, environmental and labour issues continue to be affected by ethnic loyalties and divisions. Mineral and agricultural resources that generate Indonesia’s national income are largely found on the Outer Islands. Many minorities on the Outer Islands feel that they are given short shrift by the Javanese political elite, working with multinational corporations or Sino-Indonesian enterprises.