Indonesia: Regional Conflicts and State Terror

Indonesia is a state torn by vicious and prolonged conflicts which, over recent years, have claimed tens of thousands of lives and left nearly a million people displaced. Diverse as they are, these conflicts are sustained and exacerbated by a set of common factors including the role of the state’s army, the extreme development gap between the island of Java and most of the outer regions, the effect of the government’s policy of transmigrasi (forced migration), and its political manipulation of religion.

This Report gives the historical background to the current conflicts, starting with an overview of the recent history of Indonesia. It then focuses on two of the main conflicts, in Aceh and Maluku, highlighting the factors that provoke and prolong the bloodshed. The Report ends with a look at the current reforms and a discussion of the many issues facing Indonesia today. The Report also offers a set of recommendations aimed at supporting peaceful solutions and respect for the human rights of all the population.