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Prisoner Release: MoU between the Government of the Republic of Indonesia and the Free Aceh Movement

Implementations

Prisoner Release – 2005

As required by the MoU, the Indonesian government immediately started the process of releasing rebel prisoners. As of 30 August, more than 70 rebels were released, of which four were senior GAM leaders.¹ More than 1400 prisoners were released on 31 August 2005.²

Altogether, the government released 1,425 GAM members from prison across Java and Sumatra. The European Union provided â¬4 million in financial support for the reintegration of former prisoners into civilian lives. From support provided by international donors, the government provided immediate “reinsertion” support of â¬200, along with other necessities and transportation to return to their communities. The released prisoners were also eligible for further financial support before the long term reintegration aid became available.³

“Indonesia Frees Rebel Prisoners from Aceh,” Associated Press, August 30, 2005.
“Indonesia releases Aceh rebel prisoners as stipulated in peace deal,” Associated Press, August 31, 2005.
“Aceh: So Far, So Good,” International Crisis Group Asia Briefing NÂ°44, December 13, 2005; “EU offers 4 million euros to fund former Aceh rebel prisoners,” Xinhua General News Service, September 9, 2005.

Prisoner Release – 2006

While prisoners were released, the government has yet to implement the long term reintegration of ex-prisoners. As of now, the government is discussing a program that would allocate 2 hectares of land. The program gives the prisoners the rights to use the land for 75 years, but not the land title. The land distribution is said to start in 2013.¹“Aceh Peace Process Follow-Up Project — Final Report,” Crisis Management Initiative, last updated 2012, accessed March 27, 2013, http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/aceh_report5_we…