Indonesian prisoners announce hunger strike

By Nico Warouw

Starting on March 3, the 14 People's Democratic Party (PRD) prisoners who are now on trial on subversion charges, which carry the death penalty, will launch a hunger strike protest against unfair actions by the judges and prosecutors.

Judges and prosecutors have refused to allow witnesses called by the defence, and have repeatedly stopped the accused and defence counsel from speaking. Once a judge in Garda Sembiring's case said to the lawyer in court, "Counsel, if you speak too much, I'll send you out!".

The judges also overruled objections by the accused concerning their arrest without warrant by plain-clothes officers. They were taken to the military intelligence office rather than to the State Prosecution Office. They were moved to the prosecutor's office only after being detained for two to three weeks by military intelligence.

The state prosecutor, Singgih, has stated that the trial is planned to finish immediately before the May 1997 election. It seems that neglecting the rights of the accused will save time.

According to a joint statement from the 14 PRD prisoners, the State Persecution Office deliberately cut communication between comrades detained in Jakarta and those in Surabaya, so that Budiman Sujatmiko, Petrus Haryanto and Wilson from Jakarta could not attend as witnesses for Dita Indah Sari's case in Surabaya State Court.

The aim of the hunger strike is to protest the treatment by the State Prosecution Office. The statement says that the trials, which have been going on for three months, are no more than a manipulation of judicial procedure.

The protests include refusing to speak in court. The actions will continue until the PRD members demands are met.

The action will be started by those who are detained in Cipinang Prison, including Budiman Sujatmiko and Garda Sembiring. It will be followed by a group in Salemba Prison, including Wilson and Anom, three days later, and then by a group in Surabaya, including Dita Sari.

Urgent action is needed to support the struggle of PRD prisoners:

Please get in contact with Action in Solidarity with Indonesia and East Timor (ASIET) for further information and possible solidarity actions (see advertisement, page 14). Please fax the Indonesian minister of justice, Mr Oetoyo Usman, fax number 62 21 525 3095, urging that PRD prisoners be granted their rights according to law.
[Nico Warouw is the overseas representative of the PRD.]

From GLW issue 265