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| Maluku (Moluccas) |
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In Maluku, the civil war between Muslims and Christians that erupted in Ambon in 1999 has produced more civilian casualties
than any other region, with estimates of over 5000 dead from October to September 2000 and over 400,000 internally displaced
persons (IDPs), according to Human Rights Watch. Throughout the year the conflict spread to many other islands in Maluku.
Despite the implementation of a state of civil emergency in June 2000, security forces have failed to contain communal
conflict or to prevent armed militia groups from carrying out serious crimes, including widespread killing and forced
displacement of civilians.
For more information, please see the IDP Brief.
In May 2000, thousands of volunteers for “holy war forces” (laskar jihad) came to Ambon to strengthen the Muslim side
in the conflict. Civilian and military authorities in Indonesia were reported to block the delivery of humanitarian
assistance for the thousands of IDPs. Some have faulted the government for not ensuring the neutrality of the troops sent
to stop the fighting and for failing to stop the dispatch of laskar jihad forces.
For more information, please see the Laskar Jihad website.
For more on human rights in Maluku, please see the follwing resources:
Human Rights Watch activities in the Moluccas
Human Rights Watch Report on Indonesia: The Violence in Ambon
Other Regions
In addition to these three regions, violations continue to be committed against East Timorese
refugees remaining in the camps in West Timor. They are consistently intimidated and harassed by militia
groups and rape and sexual exploitation are common, according to US State Department Report. Despite the
international community’s urging, many refugees have not been allowed to return to their homes and sources
indicate there are over 100,000 still in the camps. UNHCR and NGO personnel have also been the targets of attack by
militias. Three UNHCR workers were brutally stabbed to death in September 2000.
Christian-Muslim fighting has also erupted in Central Sulawesi, resulting in numerous deaths and widespread destruction.
For more information on human rights in West Timor, please see Human Rights Watch articles on West Timor.
For more information on human rights in East Timor, please see Amnesty International: Indonesia and East Timor.
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