Sumatra, at the north-westernmost edge of Indonesia, is an island of diverse ethnic populations and natural resources. At the northernmost tip is Aceh, home to the separatist movement, the Free Aceh Movement (GAM). GAM began in 1976 and has gained popular support and momentum in the post-Suharto period. From 1990 to 1998, the population of Aceh was violently repressed by the military as forces tried to eradicate GAM. Today, GAM continues to conduct a guerrilla war against the Indonesian military. Both the military and the rebel forces have been accused of human rights abuses, including arrests, “disappearances”, tortures, murders, and rapes.

The upswing in military operations left over 1300 people dead in 2001, more than double the number killed the year before.  The violence did not abate in 2002, and over 1600 people were estimated dead by August.  Throughout the year, difficult negotiations between GAM and the Indonesian government were mediated by the Geneva-based Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HDC.)  On December 9, 2002, these talks came to fruition, and the two sides signed a ceasefire.

Although the cease-fire led to a precipitous drop in the level of hostilities, the confidence- building measures called for were not carried out by either side. In April of 2003, emergency talks scheduled between GAM and the Indonesian government were cancelled following lengthy negotiations over the precise date and location of the meetings. The Indonesian government established martial law in May 2003 as part of an effort to eradicate GAM. The government has refused to grant access to aid workers and most journalists, claiming that the risk of kidnapping by GAM rebels is too high. Various advocacy groups including the International Crisis Group and Human Rights Watch protested the lack of humanitarian access, expressing doubt that the Indonesian government has the capacity to cover the range of assistance needed by the civilian population in Aceh. The government claims that their capacity to provide for the civilian population is being underestimated. Martial law is scheduled to end on November 19, 2003, but it as of October 2003 it is unclear whether it will be extended.

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