Indonesia releases Aceh rebels according to amnesty agreement News
Indonesia releases Aceh rebels according to amnesty agreement

[JURIST] Indonesia released over 1,400 Achenese rebel inmates Wednesday, granting them blanket amnesty in accordance with a decree signed by Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono Tuesday night. The newly freed prisoners have agreed to honor their monumental peace accord [PDF text; JURIST report] with the Indonesian government, which allowed the rebels to form a local political party in exchange for discontinuing their demand for independence and provided for the creation of a human rights tribunal [JURIST report]. The next major step in the peace process designed to end three decades of violence will come in mid-September when rebels remaining in Aceh jungles are expected to begin turning in their weapons. Wednesday's Los Angeles Times has more. The Jakarta Post has local coverage.