Message from Indonesian peasants' union

Message from Indonesian peasants' union

Fransisca Christianti, secretary-general of Indonesia's National Peasants Union (STN), sent a message to Action in Solidarity with Indonesia and East Timor thanking all the Australian and international activists who sent protest faxes to the South Sumatran governor's office following the attack on a farmers' demonstration on July 20. Faxes were sent from Australia, Pakistan, the Philippines and Europe.

Two STN organisers and 13 farmers remain in jail, said Christianti. Since the solidarity faxes had arrived, they have been moved to Palembang police station where their conditions are not so repressive. People are now able to visit them.

Christianti emphasised that the struggle is not yet over. The farmers are organising protests aimed against the violence that was used on July 20.

The military, which carried out the attack, and the party that represents the supporters of former dictator Suharto, Golkar, are still strong, Christianti stated. Solidarity messages can be sent to the STN at <ppstn@hotmail.com>.

From GLW issue 414