Serious human rights abuses including the killing of children and other civilians are being reported in Indonesia's Aceh province, Amnesty International said today.
A major military offensive aimed at crushing the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) entered its second week today in the province, which has been put under martial law.
In a weekend report, Amnesty urged both sides to make protection of civilians a priority and said it is very concerned that martial law will make abuses more likely.
"There are already reports that this is the case and that civilians, including children, have been subjected to extrajudicial execution, and that many thousands of people have been forced to flee their homes," the report said.
Amnesty welcomed statements by various officials that civilian casualties would be avoided and rights respected but urged the government to make an official public statement on this.
In a reference to Major General Adam Damiri, it expressed "particular concern" that a senior officer on trial in Jakarta for crimes against humanity in East Timor in 1999 has a direct role in Aceh military operations.
It also took issue with army chief General Ryamizard Ryacudu, who recently described as "heroes" seven soldiers who were convicted of murdering pro-independence leader Theys Eluay in Papua.
Since 2000, the rights group said, 13 human rights defenders are believed to have been executed in Aceh and scores of others subjected to torture, detention without charge and harassment, and intimidation.
AFP