Dear Sir’Ma’am
People’s watch is a human rights organization in India. We were informed
that 19 people are being detained since their arrest on June 15 in
association with the legitimate protests against the changes to labour laws
and increases in fuel prices. We understand that labour conditions are
already relatively poor and that many will not be able to survive if the
fuel subsidies are removed. It was for these reasons that these people took
to the streets to make use of the right to freedom of expression and
assembly. Instead of allowing them to exercise their right they were
detained for this under sub-human conditions. We are equally disturbed by
the brutal response of the police to those protesting against the Golkar
party on July 31.
The 19 ‘Bandung Detainees’, being held at the Police Headquarters of West
Java (Polda Jawa Barat) are:
1. L.V. Mardiyono, 23, worker at PT Tiansi
2. Normalinda, 22, student at UNPAD
3. George Dominggus Hormat, 21, student at ITB
4. Fransiskus Xavarius Farneubeun, 21, worker
5. Kahpi, worker
6. Albertus Budi Pratomo, 21, worker at PT MSP
7. Hiskia Hartono, 31
8. Edy Irwansah, 20, labourer at PT JM
9. Maraden Sinaga, 23, student at UNDAP
10. Deny Nugraha, 33, worker
11. Wirya Wangsa Direja, 24, labourer
12. Deny Kusmarna, labourer at PT Trijaya Utama
13. Dindin Suherman, NGO worker at “Dewan Kota”
14. Asep Ruhyat, NGO worker at “Dewan Kota”
15. Andy Hartono, 22, student at ITB
16. Anton Jauhari, student
17. Donny Danudirjo, 21, student at ITB
18. Yovi Wijaya, 21, student at ITB
19. Sri Darwanti, 24, student at STSI
Many in Indonesia and around the world are looking to you now to take a firm
stand in favour of democracy and human rights. Imprisoning peaceful
pro-democracy activists for exercising their human rights will surely
disillusion Indonesians hungry for reform, and bring international
condemnation. However, the immediate and unconditional release of these
political detainees and a thorough investigation into the police brutality
evident at the June 12-15 labour law and fuel prices protests (in Bandung,
Surabaya and Jakarta) and the latest protest about the Golkar party in
Jakarta would send a message that you will uphold human rights and prevent a
return to the political repression that you and many others worked against
under Suharto.
We therefore request you to look into the matter and take immediate action
against those who have done the injustice.
Yours sincerely
HENRI TIPHAGNE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
PEOPLE’S WATCH- TAMIL NADU
