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BRA's poor performance threatening peace process

Detik.com - June 12, 2006

Chazizah Gusnita, Jakarta – The Aceh Reintegration Agency (BRA) continues to be criticised with its poor performance considered to be threatening the peace process.

"I feel that it will disrupt the Aceh reintegration process because there is a difference in perceptions that is aggravating the poor performance of the BRA", said Human Rights Working Group (HRWG) coordinator Rafendi Djamin at the BOR Building at the Megaria Cinema Complex on Jl. Pegangsaan Timur No 21 in West Jakarta on Monday June 12.

According to Djamin, the BRA's performance has not been optimal because it has been placed in the situation of becoming part of the political agenda. Whereas the BRA should have been established to implement Point 3.2 of the Helsinki Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on reintegration.

The unclear limits of the working systems and authority of the BRA has also become a problem. The allocation of compensation funds for former Free Aceh Movement (GAM) members and the victims of the conflict are considered to overlap with the task of human rights courts.

"The HRWG is urging the government to improve the BRA's performance by making the BRA independent and so it works in accordance with the MoU", explained Djamin.

The HRWG is also asking that BRA's structure and authority be changed for the sake of efficiency and the realisation of the reintegration program. "Rehabilitation is the government's obligation that must be provided as quickly as possible following disarmament, the withdrawal of troops and amnesty [for GAM members]", he asserted.

Inefficiency within the BRA has created confusion. GAM – which was involved within the BRA – has even withdrawn all of its personnel in order that the Acehnese governor can restructure it more easily. (fay)

[Translated by James Balowski.]

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