Brussels, 7 December 2006: Civil society organisations in Aceh are waiting anxiously as the EU’s Aceh Monitoring Mission (AMM) prepares to depart on 15 December 2006. They want the EU to remain engaged. “The need for the consolidation of the peace process, which is still fragile, is a major concern”, says Faisal Hadi, Executive Director of NGO Koalisi HAM. Suraiya Kamaruzzaman, founder of Flower Aceh, is also in Brussels to raise her concerns with EU representatives about the future of Aceh and the role of women in the peace dialogue.

There is wide recognition of the important role that Acehnese civil society plays as an active mediator for peace. However, after thirty years of conflict, its capacity has been seriously limited and needs to be strengthened. Civil society organisations are therefore appealing for a continued role for the EU with regard to human rights, gender and the reintegration of former combatants. Andreas List from the European Commission’s South East Asia unit believes that the EU can contribute to this by offering constructive support for strengthening local organisations.

European Commissioner for External Relations, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, understands the concerns of local organisations in Aceh and sees a role for the EU in the further implementation of the peace process. “Even after the Aceh Monitoring Mission departs later this month, the EU will continue its support for the peace process with assistance for governance, election support, reintegration, and police and justice reform. Our commitment to Aceh is as strong as ever”, she said in a speech on EU-Indonesia Day. Justin Davies, Chief of Staff of the AMM agrees with the Commissioner: “The end of the AMM by no means implies the end of the peace process nor of the EU’s commitment”.