Demonstrations marks rights declaration anniversary<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Demonstrations and discussions in a number of
\ncities highlighted concerns over rights abuses, as Indonesians
\non Thursday marked the 50th anniversary of the Universal
\nDeclaration of Human Rights.<\/p>\n
In Semarang, some 1,000 students of the Satya Wacana Christian
\nUniversity protested rights abuses in politics, education, the
\neconomy, religion and law.<\/p>\n
They demanded investigations into \"the masterminds behind all
\nof the violence committed by the Armed Forces (ABRI)\", a thorough
\ninvestigation into the wealth of former president Soeharto and an
\nend to the use of religion for political ends.<\/p>\n
In Ujungpandang, South Sulawesi, a discussion featured the
\ntestimonies of victims of violence. The talk held by the Ujung
\nPandang Legal Aid Office (LBH) was attended by some 100 victims,
\nincluding peasants, students and activists.<\/p>\n
Lawyer Adnan Buyung Azis of the Ujung Pandang LBH said that
\ncases handled by his office which were related to acts of alleged
\nviolence committed by the Armed Forces and other officials
\nincluded 50 land cases, six political cases, 38 labor cases and
\nfour cases of discrimination.<\/p>\n
In Purwokerto, Central Java, some 5,000 high school and
\nuniversity students grouped in the Indonesian Forum for Youth
\nStruggle demanded that ABRI \"return to the barracks\".<\/p>\n
After protesters conducted their noon prayers on the streets,
\nthey went to state-run radio RRI, where broadcasters agreed to
\nair their demands.<\/p>\n
In Bogor, West Java, about 50 students from Djuanda University
\ndemanded that the police end their investigation of fellow
\nstudents T. Ade, Emon Mulyad and Syaefulloh. The three are being
\ndetained on charges related to the death of First Lt. Dadang
\nRusmana during demonstrations in May. Forensic experts said that
\nthe officer died of a heart attack.<\/p>\n
Other rallies in the city featured dozens of people demanding
\nclarification of their land cases at the town branch and the
\nregency branch of the National Land Agency.<\/p>\n
In Yogyakarta, around 500 students also grouped in the
\nIndonesian Forum for Youth Struggle marched from Sanata Dharma
\nuniversity to the Yogya Monument. Students appealed for civilians
\nto band together to resist efforts to pit one group against the
\nother.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile on Wednesday, ulema discussed the prospects of
\nrallies during the Ramadhan fasting month, which begins on Dec.
\n20. People have been bracing themselves for the unprecedented
\nprospect of rallies during this year's Ramadhan, as students have
\nsaid that they will continue demonstrations. Various parties have
\nsuggested that students refrain from rallies to give security
\nforces, who have been guarding the city for more than a month, an
\nopportunity to join the annual rites.<\/p>\n
Chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council Ali Yafie said that
\nthere was no problem with demonstrations during Ramadhan, as long
\nas limits were observed. \"What's wrong with demonstrating if it
\nis limited to expressing opinions?\" Ali, also a member of the
\nNational Commission on Human Rights, said in Bandung.<\/p>\n
\"Feel free to join demonstrations, as long as you refrain from
\ndamaging things, harassing others, condemning others and saying
\ndirty words, which are forbidden when fasting,\" he said, as
\nquoted by Antara. (team)<\/p>",
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