CRSV: Aceh
This case note documents the occurrence of sexual violence in violent conflict. It contains explicit mentions of different forms of sexual assault. Reader discretion is advised.
Image: Vecteezy
Background of the Conflict
The insurgency in Aceh, also known as the Rebellion in Aceh in the language of the Indonesian government, was fought by the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) in pursuit of independence for Aceh from Indonesia between 1976 and 2005. Aceh and the rest of Indonesia have cultural and religious differences, where a more conservative form of Islam is known to be practiced in Aceh than in Indonesia. Suharto’s secular policies from 1965 to 1978 were unpopular in Aceh, and there was growing resentment for the central government’s approach toward unifying Indonesian culture. Being located in the Northern region of Indonesia, Aceh felt that the central government was out of touch with its needs and problems.
The Free Aceh Movement, formed in December 1976, declared independence upon its foundation. It called for its independence from the neo-colonial government which threatened the Acehnese religion and culture. The Indonesian government responded with suppression, and by 1979, the group had indeed been suppressed. However, in 1985, Libya began to support the Free Aceh Movement, although the finer details of whether this support involved funding or troop training or something else remains unclear – although it as indeed clear that it provided a sanctuary for the movement’s fighters to receive training. In 1989, the Free Aceh Movement began conducting raids and targeted assassinations. In 1998, the fall of the Suharto government offered the Free Aceh Movement a major advantage, and they gained control over 70% of the land in Aceh. Hostilities continued, even as peace processes were initiated from time to time. Offensives were launched by the government, and states of emergency were declared. The insurgency was still ongoing when the tsunami struck on December 26, 2004.
Following the tsunami, the Free Aceh Movement declared a unilateral ceasefire. Peace talks began, and culminated in August 2005, with Aceh gaining autonomy through government legislation offering special rights, allowing the Acehnese to establish their own local political parties.
Prevalence of Sexual Violence
The prevalence of conflict-related sexual violence was reported in Aceh, Irian Jaya, Maluku, and Sulawesi. Reports showed that women were targeted with sexual violence, torture, detention, and forced conscription into the armed forces (UNFPA, 2005). Most instances of sexual violence were carried out at night, when rural homes were raided as a mechanism of intimidation and to hunt down rebels (Asian Development Bank, 2006). Reports have shared that women were compelled to strip when they were suspected of supporting rebels, and their bodies were searched for tattoos (UNFPA, 2005). Women were reportedly taken into navy ships where they were raped and sexually assaulted before they were thrown overboard (UNCHR, 1999). There are no precise figures to suggest exactly how many women were subject to rape or sexual assault (Amnesty International, 2021). According to the Institute of Policy Research and Advocacy, a total of 160 cases were reported between 1989 and 1998 (UNFPA, 2005). The National Commission of Human Rights of Indonesia reported that it had received details of 102 cases of rape during its investigations, by August 1998 (Amnesty International, 2021).
Basis for the use of Sexual Violence
Sexual violence was used as a tactic to intimidate women, especially during the village raids at night in search of rebels. The intention was to threaten women and communities with sexual assault with the demand that no rebels receive safe harbour. Sexual violence and rape were also used as forms of torture, especially to target actors that were calling for independence. Women and girls in refugee camps were also targeted with sexual violence in order to humiliate and shame them, given the cultural connotations and stigma of sexual violence. Women and girls were also punished with sexual violence and rape for their alleged support for rebels and insurgents.
References
Amnesty International (2021). Indonesia: The impact of impunity on women in Aceh.
https://www.amnesty.org/fr/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/asa210602000en.pdf
Asian Development Bank (July 2006) Indonesia: Country Gender Assessment.
United Nations Commission on Human Rights, “Integration of the Human Rights of Women and the Gender Perspective: Violence against Women: Mission to Indonesia and East Timor on the issue of violence against women”, Report of the Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women, its Causes and Consequences, Ms. Radhika Coomaraswamy, Addendum, E/CN.4/1999/68/ Add.3, 21 January 1999
UNFPA “Gender-Based Violence in Aceh, Indonesia: A Case Study”, Consultative Meeting, Bucharest, Romania, 17-20 October 2005.
