iberation Front (ASNLF) ASNLF aims

iberation Front (ASNLF)
ASNLF aims at restoring the sovereignty of the State of Acheh and of freeing its people from all types of foreign colonialism through a legal approach in accordance with Achehnese values and International Law. ASNLF wants to enable the Achenese to exercise their right to self-determination without interference from Indonesia on their political status and in pursuing their economic, social and cultural development. They strive towards gaining the support of the international community for Acheh’s decolonization in accordance with the principles and procedures of United Nations resolutions. As a result of the dangerous circumstances in Acheh most members of the re-established ASNLF are located outside of Acheh, many thereof as refugees e.g. in the US, Norway and the Netherlands.
GEOGRAPHY
Acheh is a ‘special territory’ in Indonesia, located at the northern tip of the island of Sumatra. The approximate area of Acheh is 236,803 km2, and consists of 119 islands, 73 major rivers and 2 lakes. It is strategically located on the Malaccan Strait, an important trade route and portal to Southeast Asia, and the Indian Ocean to the South. Banda Acheh, the capital of Acheh, lies at the mouth of the Krong Acheh and Krong Daroy rivers by the Indian Ocean, and is the administrative and trading center of this mountainous region. Petroleum and natural gas, of which Sumatra has extensive reserves, is exported through Banda Acheh.
PEOPLE
Acheh has a population of approximately 4 million, representing two percent of the total Indonesian population. There are various ethnic groups residing in Acheh, with the largest ethnic group being the Achehnese. Other ethnic groups include the Gayo, Alas, Tamiang, Aneuk Jamee, Kluet and Simeulue. There is also a small population of Arab and European descent. Ethnic Achehnese form a majority in the regencies of Acheh Besar, Pidie, North Aceh and West Aceh, whereas they constitute a minority in Central and South Acheh.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
From the beginning of 16th century, Acheh has been involved in an almost continuous power struggle for their self-determination and right to exist as a free nation. First with Portugal, then the British and Dutch in the 18th century and today, against the Indonesian government in Jakarta, Acheh has continued its struggle against colonial and alien rule with varying degrees of success.
In 1824 the Anglo-Dutch treaty was signed, under which the British ceded their colonial possessions on Sumatra to the Dutch. The British claimed Acheh as part of their colonies, although they had little actual control over the sultanate. Initially under the agreement, the Dutch agreed to respect the Achenese sultanate's independence. In 1871, however, the Dutch invaded Acheh, with no opposition from the British.
The Dutch colonial government declared war on Acheh on 26 March 1873, but they never fully gained control of the territory and declared their attempt at subjugating Acheh a failure in 1893. Instead of conceding, excessive force was used to command full control of Acheh, which was gained by 1904. Throughout Dutch rule, Acheh faced large numbers of casualties and continued guerilla warfare against the Dutch until the Dutch East Indies achievedindependence following occupation by the Japanese and the end of WWII.