The Wire

Indonesia is the world’s largest exporter of natural gas and one-third of the exports come from Aceh, but the Acehnese have received little revenue and remain among the poorest parts of the Indonesian Archipelago. The province with 40 million people has struggled for autonomy for more than 130 years. Back in 1873 the Dutch were initially repelled from Aceh. Consequently, Aceh never became a part of Indonesia – they even had their own currency. However after independence was achieved in Indonesia, Aceh’s provincial status was revoked and subsumed under Suharto. After a series of negotiations, cease-fires and skirmishes, Indonesia has recently ceased rule by martial law in Aceh and enacted a civil administration. But throughout this, the Indonesian government has presented the Free Aceh Movement or GAM as a militia group who are so brutal they terrorise villagers and may take any foreigner who roams Aceh hostage. William Nessen spent over a year with the GAM fighters – documenting their struggle and their relationship to local families and villagers throughout Aceh. Now he is bringing his story to Sydney through a photographic exhibition. Taya Fabijanic spoke to photo-journalist William Nessen, and President of the Australian Section of the International Commission of Jurists and NSW Supreme Court Justice John Dowd.

Exhibition Details
Human Rights Watch
Aceh Eye