Two Aceh organizations campaign in Japan against RI

Two organizations championing for Aceh were campaigning in Japan against the Indonesian government and U.S. oil firm operating in Aceh, Exxon-Mobil oil.

The two organization, Putra Dewantara Foundation from Lhokseumawe and Aceh International Forum, made a presentation before around 100 Japanese and Acehness in Sothia University in Tokyo.

In their presentation, Dewantara Putra Foundation highlighted human rights abuses in Aceh since the New Order government until now. Meanwhile, the Aceh International Forum highlighted more political dimension of Aceh.

The forum's Jafar Hamzah Sidiq demanded that Soeharto be tried for their crimes in Aceh, and that Exxon-Mobil Oil be held responsible for using Indonesian soldiers to protect its operation in Aceh.

Commenting on the presentation of the two organization, Hata Keyama, secretary general of the Tokyo Office, said that he welcomed such campaigns, but he warned that the two organizations understand a political system of a country where they conducted their campaign.

Japan's political system, for instance, differs with political systems in most Western countries, Keyama said, and therefore, the two organizations should adapt their campaign tactics with that situation.

The two organization, and also the Free Aceh Movement, would continue conducting campaign in Japan for the next few days against the Indonesian government's rule in Aceh. (*)