« Back to Accord

Military Reform: MoU between the Government of the Republic of Indonesia and the Free Aceh Movement

Implementations

Military Reform – 2005

That only military forces from Aceh could be stationed in Aceh during peacetime and that Indonesian forces would provide foreign defense were the central military reforms in the MoU. The Accord acknowledges the rights of GAM combatants to seek employment in the organic police and military forces without discrimination. It does not guarantee positions, and it is not clear whether GAM members sought such employment.

No developments were reported in 2005.

Military Reform – 2006

With the enactment of the Law on Governing Aceh, the provisions related to the external defense of Aceh and the legal framework for the stationing of troops was put into place.

No reports were found of any trials of military persons in civilian courts. According to the State Department’s Human Rights Report, 44 civilians and 37 Aceh Liberation Movement (GAM) members were killed just before the signing of the MoU in August 2005. The government did not investigate the incidents for military involvement.¹

“Country Reports on Human Rights Practices —Indonesia,” U.S. State Department, accessed, March 26, 2013, http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2007/100521.htm.