BIREUEN, ACEH —5/11/2026.More than two decades after the signing of the Helsinki peace agreement, a fatal incident involving gunfire during an operation to remove the Bulan Bintang flag in Pidie has raised renewed concerns about the protection of peace in Aceh and the responsibility of all parties to uphold the commitments made in 2005.
Arizal Mahdi, chairman of Relawan Peduli Rakyat Lintas Batas (RPR-LB), has called on the Indonesian government and all relevant authorities to respect the Helsinki Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in both letter and spirit. He has also urged a thorough, impartial and transparent investigation into the incident at Meunasah Pulo Keunari, Tiro District, Pidie Regency, on November 4, 2026.
The incident occurred during a Maulid Nabi Muhammad celebration, when the presence of the Bulan Bintang flag became the subject of an attempt by security personnel to remove it. The situation subsequently escalated, leaving one civilian dead and several others injured.
According to an official statement from the Indonesian Army, 14 civilians were affected: one died and 13 were injured. The Army also reported that six military personnel sustained injuries. Its account stated that blank ammunition and rubber bullets were used during the operation. These details should be examined through a credible investigation, including the circumstances surrounding the fatal injury.
The deceased was identified as Abzalul Riza, a resident of Dayah Gampong Baro, Tiro District.
On November 5, Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration and Corrections Yusril Ihza Mahendra said the government had agreed to investigate the incident, establish who carried out the shooting and determine responsibility through the appropriate legal process.
For Arizal, the incident must not be treated merely as an isolated security matter. It raises serious questions about civilian protection, accountability and the continuing responsibility to safeguard the peace achieved in Aceh.
“The provisions of the Helsinki MoU must not be played with. Aceh’s peace must not be betrayed,” Arizal said.
The Helsinki Agreement: A Historic Commitment
The Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of Indonesia and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) was signed in Helsinki, Finland, on August 15, 2005.
The agreement marked a historic turning point after decades of armed conflict. The negotiations were facilitated by former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari through the Crisis Management Initiative.
The agreement was designed to establish a peaceful, comprehensive, sustainable and dignified resolution to the conflict. It set out commitments covering governance, human rights, political participation, economic arrangements, reintegration, security and mechanisms for resolving disputes.
Its six principal areas are:
1. Governing of Aceh
The agreement provided the framework for a new law governing Aceh and recognised the province’s authority to administer public affairs within the constitutional framework of the Republic of Indonesia.
It also addressed political participation, local political parties, the election of regional leaders and the use of regional symbols.
Article 1.1.5 specifically recognises Aceh’s right to use regional symbols, including a flag, an emblem and a hymn. The implementation and regulation of this provision have remained subjects of political and legal debate.
2. Human Rights
The parties committed to respect international human rights standards, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
The agreement also provided for the establishment of a Human Rights Court and a Truth and Reconciliation Commission for Aceh.
3. Amnesty and Reintegration into Society
The agreement provided for amnesty for individuals involved in GAM activities and the release of political prisoners and detainees held as a result of the conflict.
It also established commitments to support the reintegration of former combatants and conflict-affected communities into civilian life, including economic assistance and opportunities for participation in society.
4. Security Arrangements
The agreement established arrangements for the end of hostilities, the demobilisation of GAM forces, the decommissioning of weapons and the relocation of non-organic military and police forces from Aceh.
These were specific transitional commitments under the implementation of the 2005 agreement. They must be understood in their historical context rather than treated as current operational figures.
5. Establishment of the Aceh Monitoring Mission
The agreement provided for the Aceh Monitoring Mission (AMM), established by the European Union and participating ASEAN countries, to monitor the implementation of key commitments.
Its responsibilities included monitoring demobilisation, weapons decommissioning, the relocation of non-organic forces, reintegration and human rights conditions, as well as investigating alleged violations of the agreement.
The AMM was part of the initial implementation of the peace agreement and was not established as a permanent institution.
6. Dispute Settlement
The agreement established procedures for resolving disputes concerning its implementation. These mechanisms were intended to ensure that disagreements would be addressed through consultation and agreed processes rather than actions that could undermine the peace.
Arizal stressed that these six areas form part of one comprehensive peace framework. The agreement cannot be respected selectively, with certain commitments remembered while others are neglected.
Accountability and the Protection of Civilians
Arizal said particular attention must be given to Article 1.4.5 of the Helsinki MoU, which states:
“All civil crimes committed by military personnel in Aceh will be tried in civil courts in Aceh.”
This provision deserves serious attention in any assessment of alleged civil crimes involving military personnel in Aceh. Its application must be examined in accordance with the agreement and the relevant legal framework, based on established facts and evidence.
RPR-LB called for the investigation into the Pidie incident to establish the full sequence of events, identify the weapons and ammunition involved, examine available video recordings and other evidence, and determine individual and command responsibility where supported by the findings.
The organisation also urged the authorities to ensure that injured civilians receive appropriate medical care and that the families of those affected are treated with dignity and kept informed.
An investigation, Arizal emphasised, must go beyond a formal announcement. Its findings should be communicated transparently, and any proven wrongdoing must be addressed through the appropriate legal process.
Peace Must Be Felt in the Lives of Ordinary People
The Helsinki agreement brought an end to a devastating chapter in Aceh’s history. But peace cannot be measured solely by the absence of armed conflict.
For ordinary people, peace means being able to live without fear, express concerns peacefully, preserve their dignity and trust that the law protects everyone equally.
It also means ensuring that disagreements are resolved through dialogue, restraint and lawful institutions rather than violence.
Arizal called on the central government, the Aceh administration, security institutions, community leaders and all elements of society to exercise restraint and avoid actions or statements that could inflame tensions.
He emphasised that protecting peace is a shared responsibility. No political interest, institutional position or disagreement should be allowed to put civilian lives or Aceh’s future at risk.
A Responsibility That Must Be Carried Forward
RPR-LB believes that the Pidie incident should serve as a serious reminder that peace must be protected through accountability, respect for human rights and consistent implementation of the Helsinki agreement.
The organisation urges all parties to avoid escalation, respect the law and allow a credible investigation to establish the facts.
For Arizal Mahdi, the message is clear: the Helsinki peace agreement must never be reduced to a historical document or a political slogan.
The people of Aceh have endured decades of conflict and have paid an enormous price for peace. Their future must not be put at risk by actions that erode public trust or weaken the commitments that brought the conflict to an end.
“The people of Aceh deserve justice, dignity and a lasting peace. The commitments made in Helsinki must remain meaningful—not only in official documents, but in the everyday lives of the people.”
