Aceh's independence struggle

Wednesday, October 20, 2004 - 10:00

Ruth Ratcliffe

"Aceh — the struggle for independence", an exhibition of photos taken by freelance photographer William Nessen, toured to the small town of Toronto on Lake Macquarie on October 15-16.

Nonie Hodgson from Action in Solidarity with Asia and the Pacific welcomed the 60-strong crowd and called for the Australian government to end its ties with the Indonesian military, which continues to commit atrocities in Aceh and West Papua.

The exhibition was officially opened by Labor MP Kelly Hoare, who is a member of the parliamentary Amnesty International group. Hoare reported that when parliament re-opens she intends moving a private members bill that has bipartisan support, calling for the Indonesian government to negotiate a peace settlement with the Acehnese people in "good faith".

Nurdin, an Acehnese activst based in Sydney, called for Aceh's case to be brought before the UN decolonisation commission.

From Green Left Weekly, October 20, 2004.

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From GLW issue 603