U.N. investigators urge probe into Aceh killings

Violence in Aceh has been ongoing since armed rebels began their fight for the province's independence in 1976

GENEVA (Reuters) -- Independent United Nations human rights investigators on Thursday called on Indonesia to probe the alleged killing and torture of civilians in the restive province of Aceh.

The investigators said in a statement they had received information that human rights activists and "peaceful pro-independence activists" had been among many civilians executed.

Security forces were also reported to have tortured and sexually abused civilians, they said.

They appealed to Indonesia to investigate the allegations in a letter sent on Wednesday. Their appeal coincided with a two-day visit to the country by the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson.

Indonesia said on Wednesday it would impose a state of emergency in Aceh unless separatists agreed to resume peace talks with the government.

The talks had been due to take place in Geneva last week but were postponed after renewed violence in the provincial capital Banda Aceh.

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Indonesia threatens tough action against 2 restive provinces
November 22, 2000

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