Urgent solidarity action is needed from supporters of democracy worldwide to secure the release of activists held by police for organising against the Indonesian regime.
Particularly urgent is the case of the Bandung 19, who have imprisoned as political prisoners by the authorities in police headquarters in the West Javanese city since as far back as June 15.
The 19 are being held for their involvement in June protests against regressive changes to labour laws and increases in oil prices.
On June 13 and 14, more than 20,000 workers struck and marched on the provincial parliament building, and were attacked by riot police on both occasions. On June 14, police assaulted the crowd with rubber bullets and tear gas, injuring at least 19 people.
The Bandung 19 were arrested in the days after and blamed for starting the "riot".
The young activists are from the Young Christian Workers (YCW) movement, the National Student League for Democracy (LMND) and the People's Democratic Party (PRD), amongst other groups.
They have been charged under criminal laws that prohibit displaying signs that may cause humiliation to the Indonesian government, the Indonesian people, public authorities or any similar person/institution; and for openly using violence against people or goods.
The prisoners have been treated extremely badly. They went on a hunger strike for eight days, and eventually were given medical attention and ordered to end their fast.
One of the prisoners, Mardiyono from the Young Christian Workers, wrote in a letter from prison: "The conditions in the custody are very bad. Each day we are provided with rice and only salted fish and fermented beans.
"The policemen in charge call the roll every day and anytime we may get a punch or a kick. We feel depressed, bored and frustrated. When members of family came, they could only shed tears. In the first five days we got torture that hurt us. We suffer physically and mentally. The police have dreadfully violated the human rights. Therefore we will keep struggling for democracy and human rights in Indonesia."
The 19 prisoners are: L.V. Mardiyono, 23, factory worker, from the YCW; Normalinda, 22, student, LMND; George Dominggus Hormat, 21, student, LMND; Fransiskus Xavarius Farneubeun, 21, worker, PRD; Kahpi, factory worker, PRD; Albertus Budi Pratomo, 21, factory worker, PRD; Hiskia Hartono, 31, student; Edy Irwansah, 20, labourer, YCW; Maraden Sinaga, 23, student, YCW; Deny Nugraha, 33, worker, YCW; Wirya Wangsa Direja, 24, labourer, YCW; Deny Kusmarna, labourer, YCW; Dindin Suherman, NGO worker at "Dewan Kota"; Asep Ruhyat, NGO worker at "Dewan Kota"; Andy Hartono, 22, student, LMND; Anton Jauhari, student, GPRI; Donny Danudirjo, 21, student, LMND; Yovi Wijaya, 21, student, LMND; Sri Darwanti, 24, student, GPK.
Please write urgently to President Megawati Sukarnoputri, the National Chief of Police and the chief of police for West Java demanding their immediate and unconditional release.
Address letters to: Megawati Sukarnoputri, President, Republic of Indonesia, Presidential Palace, Jakarta, Istana Negara, Indonesia. fax: (6221) 345 7782 (salutation: Your Excellency); Gen. Surojo Bimantoro, National Chief of Police, Jl. Trunojoyo, No. 3 Kebayoran Baru, Jakart Selatan, Indonesia, fax: (6221) 720 7277 (salutation: Dear Gen. Bimantoro); Chief of Police, West Java Province, fax: (6222) 780 0236.
Send a copy of your letter to: Ms. Hina Jilani, Special Representative of the Secretary-General on the situation of human rights defenders, c/o OHCHR-UNOG, 1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland, fax: (4122) 917 9006; Mr. Asmara Nababan, Secretary General, Komnas HAM, Jl. Latuharhary No. 4B Menteng, Jakarta Pusat, fax: (6221) 392 5227.
Solidarity messages to the detainees and copies of protest letters should also be sent to: YCW Indonesia <indonesia_ycw@hotmail.com>; People's Democratic Party, <prd@centrin.org.au>; and Action in Solidarity with Indonesia and East Timor (ASIET) <asiet@asiet.org.au>.