The conflict has had a significant impact on human security in Aceh. In particular, human rights, health, education, environment, and labor opportunities in Aceh have suffered.

Human Rights

During the conflict in Aceh, numerous human rights violations have been perpetrated by both parties to the conflict, GAM and the Indonesian security forces. It has frequently been difficult to discover which side is responsible for crimes committed because Indonesian security forces do not always wear uniforms and because each side blames the other for attacks.

Kidnappings, often referred to as 'disappearances' (because in many cases the victims are never seen again), and extrajudicial executions have been committed by both military/security forces and GAM in Aceh. These operations are undertaken presumably to punish those involved with GAM and to deter others from supporting the rebel movement. In certain cases the military has collectively punished entire villages suspected of aiding GAM. Similarly, there are accounts of GAM 'punishing' those suspected of aiding the military. There have been fewer reports of GAM human right violations, however this is likely a function of a low reporting rate. GAM controls many of the villages in Aceh and victims and witnesses may be hesitant to report crimes out of fear of GAM retaliation.

Human rights activists have also been targets of violence. Kontras, a well-known Indonesian human rights organization, dispatched a fact-finding mission in July 2001. Both were detained and tortured by Indonesian security forces before eventually being released. There has yet to be an arrest in the case and neither party to the conflict has claimed responsibility. In August 2000, Jafar Siddiq Hamzah, a human rights activist cataloguing instances of human rights violations in Aceh disappeared from the streets of Medan in the province of North Sumatra. His body was found a month later, along with five others, on the outskirts of the city. There were signs that he had been tortured. Humanitarian aid workers have also been victims of the violence, despite a commitment through the 'Humanitarian Dialogue' agreement to protect them.

Exxon Mobil Indonesia has also been accused of contributing to the abuses of human rights in Aceh. A case was filed in June 2001 by the Washington, D.C.-based International Labor Rights Fund on behalf of 11 John and Jane Does, charging Exxon Mobil with complicity in widespread human rights violations. The allegations include knowledge by the corporation that members of the security forces that it partially pays to maintain have taken part in human rights abuses. Some have alleged that the military’s special unit, Kopassus, has conducted interrogations and torture in Exxon Mobil-built military barracks. In 1998, human rights investigators discovered mass graves in North Aceh on the grounds of the P.T. Arun liquid natural gas refinery. Apparently these graves had been dug using company earth-moving equipment.

Freedom of expression, assembly and association have been denied or restricted to the civilian population during the course of the conflict. SIRA, a student-led, non-violent movement advocating a referendum for Aceh has been a victim of these restrictions in particular. In November 2000, the chairman of SIRA, Muhammad Nazar was arrested for 'spreading hatred', in violation of the Indonesian Criminal Code, for his activities during a pro-referendum rally in September. He was tried and convicted. Security forces allegedly have continuously targeted SIRA members and, as a result, its activities have been severely limited.

Internally displaced persons

Many individuals and families have fled their homes due to violence. Others have been forced to leave because of the destruction of their homes and villages. According to Oxfam, there are currently some 19,000 IDP's in Aceh, located throughout the province. There are also over 44,000 non-Acehnese residents of Aceh who have fled to areas of North Sumatra.
Increased military operations in June 2001 led to increased displacement, particularly in central Aceh where the operations have been concentrated. Non-Acehnese who fled the area have mainly gone to Takengon (District Capital). The Acehnese who have fled the conflict have, for the most part, traveled to East Aceh. Reportedly in July 2001 thousands began to flee from Takengon due to security problems there.

The displacement problem has been aggravated by the inability of aid workers to reach those in need. According to the Humanitarian Pause, humanitarian aid workers are to be protected. However, this has not been the case in practice and some organizations have reported harassment by Indonesian security forces. International NGOs currently operating in Aceh, include the International Rescue Committee (IRC), Oxfam, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), operating through the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) and Peace Brigades International. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has also recently opened an office in Banda Aceh.

Health and Environment

Heavy corporate activity in the Lhokseumawe Industrial Zone (ZILS) has led to pollution that has degraded the quality of life of local inhabitants. Both PT Iskandar Muda fertilizer factory and Mobil Oil Indonesia (now known as Exxon Mobil Indonesia) have been discovered dumping industrial waste into local waters. This has led to decreased fish harvests by local fishermen. Air pollution by fertilizer factories within the ZILS has created health concerns and reports indicate that the level of reported respiratory problems, particularly in children, has risen dramatically as a result.

Forest fires routinely afflict Sumatra and haze caused by smoke poses an air pollution hazard throughout the island. Sumatra is also situated on the edge of a tectonic plate and earthquakes are a regular occurrence. In June 2000 a series of earthquakes took place in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Sumatra. The initial quake, which registered 7.9 on the Richter scale, and subsequent aftershocks, caused significant damage on the island, particularly in the city of Bengkulu.

Education

The literacy rate in Aceh is high, at 91.4% for those 15 years and older. However, education in children has suffered as a result of the violence, particularly among the ranks of the displaced where only rudimentary programs have so far been established.

Unemployment

The conflict has exacerbated an already difficult economic situation. According to the International Crisis Group, local officials have cited an unemployment rate in Aceh of around 30%, particularly in the districts of Pidie, North Aceh and East Aceh. The agricultural sector in Aceh has also suffered, as farmers are afraid to go into their fields to work.