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RELIGIOUS PERSPECTIVES ON HUMAN RIGHTS

E-Newsletter
Vol.2 No.2
January 10, 2000


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Religious Perspectives on Human Rights is now available online at: http://www.rghr.net

Religious Perspectives on Human Rights is a weekly e-newsletter issued by Buddhist, Muslim, Catholic and Christian Groups on Human Rights, initiated by the Asian Human Rights Commission.

Dear Friends,

In this edition we bring you the news of the hunger strike by Father Francesco Mella P.I.M.E.and five others in support of the call for the release of the detained mainlanders, the plight of the workers in Malaysia highlighted by the General Secretary of the workers union MTUC and the concerns expressed by the East Timorese. The situations developing in Indonesia, particularly in Aceh and in Sri Lanka needs the attention of the international community and as such we have solicited your expressions of support.

A regional seminar on the UN Convention on Torture is slated for the latter part of February; more information on that in the next newsletter. The editor

Please take note of our new e-mail address: rghr@ahrchk.org

1) Path Finders : Father Francesco Mella, P.I.M.E
2) A Decade of Union Efforts Wiped Out - Plight of the workers in Malaysia: Mr.Rajasekaran
3) EAST TIMOR - update
4) INDONESIA- Request for Urgent action
5) SILENCE IS TACIT APPROVAL
6) ANNOUNCEMENTS

1) Path Finders : Father Francesco Mella, P.I.M.E

"We will carry on the hunger strike until our demands are met" said Fr. Mella who has been on hunger strike for the last five days. This in fact happened to be the eight time that he has been on hunger strike over human rights issues. He led this action in support of the detained overstaying mainlanders on hunger strike demanding their release. The available reports indicate that appeals made by the government to end the strike by him and five others have been ignored and that they would seek a meeting with the Chief Executive of SAR, Hong Kong.

You may address your letters of support to:

P.I.M.E. House
333, Clear Water Bay Road, N.T.
Saikung
Hong Kong.
Fax: (852) 2719 5384

2) A Decade of Union Efforts Wiped Out - Plight of the workers in Malaysia

The Gen Secretary, Mr. Rajasekaran of Malaysian Trade Union Congress writes. As we approach the end of the 20th century, the challenges for the future of the labour movement are many. On 1st May 1999, Malaysian workers celebrated the founding of the MTUC 50 years ago. Despite series of achievements, we are entering the new millennium with many issues and priorities to be tackled. Workers' standard of living has not kept pace with the economic growth of the country. Labour legislations on minimum standards has remained stagnant for almost two decades.

The events of last decade of the century has been most disturbing; workers saw the gains achieved through years of collective bargaining wiped out by inflation. The east Asian economic crisis left tens of thousands jobless and resulted in wage cuts, slashing of bonus, denial of bonus, severe reduction in take home pay and withdrawal of annual increments

In the name of globalisation and competition, powerful corporations, both foreign and national, have restricted growth and influence of trade unions, removed well established minimum standards, blocked minimum wage legislations, weakened collective bargaining and played prominent role in flooding the country with foreign workers

3) EAST TIMOR : an update

Some 200 East Timorese citizens rallied in front of UN headquarters in Dili today to protest the use of foreign workers in reconstruction projects while most local laborers remain jobless, the Associated Press reports. Protestors held posters declaring "East Timorese need food and medicine, not hotels and discotheques," which referred to two barges the UN is using to accommodate staff.
Demonstrators also called on the UN to control market prices, set a minimum wage and improve the distribution of humanitarian assistance. "This is one of the demonstrations of the frustration of the Timorese people," said Sergio Vieira de Mello, head of the UN Transitional Authority in East Timor. "There are many problems. Unemployment, I'm afraid, is first and foremost" (Heather Paterson, Associated Press, 5 Jan).

4) INDONESIA- Request for Urgent action

Syaifuddin Gani, Nazaruddin Ibrahim, the two prominent human rights lawyers and human rights activists named above were arrested by Indonesian Police in Sigli town, Pidie District, Aceh on 4th January 2000. They are currently being held at Sigli police resort (Polres). Amnesty International is concerned for their safety. The two were arrested as part of a sweeping police operation in search of members of the armed separatist group Gerakan Aceh Merdeka (GAM), Free Aceh Movement.

The reason for their arrest is not known but is believed to be in connection with their human rights activities - both men are actively involved with non-governmental human rights organizations in Aceh. They are not thought to have been charged with any offence yet. As such, Amnesty International considers them to be prisoners of conscience.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The failure by the authorities to bring security force personnel to justice for human rights violations they have committed in the area has fuelled tension and anger among the population. On 30 July, the then President, Habibie, announced the establishment of an Independent Investigation Commission on Violence in Aceh. Although the findings of the Commission have been submitted to the new President, Abdurrahman Wahid, and Attorney General, Marzuki Darusman, the authorities have failed to take concrete measures to act on its findings.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: 

Please send telegrams/telexes/faxes/express/airmail letters in English, Indonesian or your own language:

• urging the authorities to immediately release Syaifuddin Gani and Nazaruddin Ibrahim;
• urging the authorities to ensure that they are given immediate access to human rights lawyers, their family and to medical professionals;
• urging the authorities to provide guarantees that they are not tortured or ill-treated in custody;
• urging the authorities to allow human rights activists to conduct their work without fear of being subjected to human rights violations.

APPEALS TO:

Chief of National Police
Lt. Gen. Rusdihardjo
Kapolri
Markas Besar Kepolisian RI
Jl. Trunojoyo 13
Kebayoran Baru
Jakarta Selatan

Indonesia
Telegrams: National Police Chief, Jakarta, Indonesia
Faxes: + 62 21 720 7277
Salutation: Dear Lt. General

COPIES TO:

President

KH Abdurrahman Wahid
President RI
Istana Merdeka
Jakarta 10110
Indonesia

Faxes: + 62 21 345 2685 (via State Secretariat)/ 380 5511 / 526 8726
Telexes: 44283 BIGRA IA; 44469 DEPLU IA
Attorney General Marzuki Darusman, SHJaksa AgungJl. Sultan Hasanuddin

No.1Kebayoran Baru
Jakarta Selatan 12130
Indonesia

Faxes: + 62 21 725 0213 / 739 2576
and to diplomatic representatives of Indonesia accredited to your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 2 February 2000.
For more information you may contact AHRC Urgent Appeal Program<ua@ahrchk.org>

5) SILENCE IS TACIT APPROVAL

We are confronted with an island that is incapable of overcoming its cycle of violence with the leaders of all factions and parties to the conflict promising more of the same. There is a feeling of apathy, vengeance, and profound anxiety. Parents await anxiously for their children to return home with the youth caught in the dilemma of where to go and whom to support. People who speak of belligerency, do not perhaps realize that it literally means sacrificing the youth of the country. In the midst of the condemnation of suicide attacks, the country must reflect on the atmosphere characterized by insensitivity to life which pervades the country and which induces the youth for such drastic action. This is born by the fact that Sri Lanka is rated as one of the highest in the world for suicides particularly among the teen-agers. When life, that is absolute is made relative and cheap, and when the relative is made absolute, cynicism, frustration, apathy, and the disregard for values that sustain society make their appearance. This unfortunately is beginning to grip the country and the international community will be blamed for its silence which in reality means tacit approval. How about supporting the call for UN mediation!

6) ANNOUNCEMENTS:

AHRC will conduct a regional seminar on UN Convention on Torture in India in February,A consultation on Child Rights in Manila in early February,

UN Committee on the Rights of the Child will meet in Geneva from 10 to 28 January.

You may obtain past copies of this E-Newsletter and other related material from RGHR. Those who wish to write articles or letters may contact RGHR c/o AHRC at the address given below.

SOME OF THESE DOCUMENTS WILL APPEAR IN PRINT FORM IN Human Rights SOLIDARITY - A MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF THE ASIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION