Kidnap victims protest

Kidnap victims protest

By Max Lane

Relatives and friends of 14 missing political activists held a demonstration on September 16, demanding to know the whereabouts of their sons and friends.

Among the protesters was the mother of the Bima Petrus, an activist from Students in Solidarity with Democracy in Indonesia. Petrus was kidnapped in February. The parents of United Development Party activist Noval Alkatiri were also there.

The parents led a delegation to armed forces' headquarters to seek information from ABRI commander General Wiranto. Nobody from the ABRI hierarchy would see them. Last week, ABRI spokespeople said they did not know where the political activists were, heightening fears for their safety.

The protest came at the end of a solidarity camp for kidnap victims held outside the Indonesian Legal Aid Institute over several days. The camp was supported by activists from the Legal Aid Institute, various pro-democracy groups, and the People's Democratic Party (PRD).

Former kidnap victim and PRD leader Andi Arief, and PRD leader Wilson, who was recently released after two years in jail, participated in the camp.

Other political figures visited the camp to give their support, including National Mandate Party chairperson Amien Rais, and anti-Suharto critic and former governor of Jakarta, retired marine general Ail Sadikin.

From GLW issue 334