Statement by the Executive, National Council of Churches in Australia (This statement was proposed by the Uniting Church in Australia and passed by the Executive, NCCA, Monday 26 June 2000)

Violence and conflict in the Maluku Islands of Indonesia continues to escalate. This has plunged the region into a most serious situation where religious and ethnic cleansing is taking place.

The conflict has its origins in sectarian violence between Muslims and Christians that was provoked by outside forces 18 months ago. Now the violence is being provoked and carried out by Muslim Jihad troops who have been recruited and trained in Java and Sulawesi. Around 10,000 Jihad troops are operating all over the Maluku Islands. On Monday 19 June Jihad troops attacked and killed 156 Christians in Duma Village, Halmahera Island. Since Friday 23 June, the violence has escalated and more Jihad troops have arrived in Ambon along with shipments of arms. Many Christians are attempting to defend themselves.

Large sections of Ambon city were destroyed by fire over the past two days as the Jihad troops attack Christian neigbourhoods. The Indonesian army is supporting the Jihad and there are eye witness accounts of Indonesian army gunships and troops being involved in attacks against Christians. In the past few days the Christian University has been destroyed along with hundreds of homes, at least five churches, the police barracks and two hospitals. Extensive Christian neighbourhoods were shelled on night of Sunday 25 June.

A mass exodus of Christians from Ambon city is now taking place. People are seeking refuge in the mountains behind the city. The violence and conflict is similar to the situation in Dili during September 1999. Yet the scale and potential for further violence far exceeds Dili as there are more people involved and this conflict has the dimensions of a protracted civil war. Law and order has collapsed. Ambon city is facing annihilation. Prompt action must take place.

While the NCCA is aware of tensions and conflicts in other regions of Indonesia, the Executive at this particular time calls for the following actions to take place in Ambon and the Maluku Islands:

(1) Immediate withdrawal of all Muslim Jihad troops.

(2) The Indonesian security forces to provide adequate protection for all people in the region through the immediate restoration of law and order in the region.

(3) In the event of the Indonesia army continuing to promote the conflict, those military personnel responsible to be withdrawn along with the Jihad troops.

(4) In the event of the Indonesian government not being able to immediately restore peace and order in the region, the Indonesian government should invite the international community, through the United Nations, to provide peace-keepers in the region.

(5) The provision of safe havens in Indonesia and elsewhere (including Australia) for the victims of the conflict until it is safe to return to the region.

(6) The immediate provision of further humanitarian aid.

These appeals are being communicated to the Governments of Indonesia and Australia and to the Secretary-General of the United Nations. We make these appeals in solidarity with the Christian church in the Maluku Islands and in response to their calls for peace, justice and reconciliation. This is undertaken in recognition of the very serious situation in Ambon and the Maluku Islands.