Jailed labor activist demands her release<\/p>\n
TANGERANG (JP): Ditasari, jailed for subversion at Tangerang
\nWomen's Penitentiary, called for international organizations on
\nMonday to press the Indonesian government for her unconditional
\nrelease.<\/p>\n
Indonesian Prosperous Labor Union secretary-general Sunarty,
\nwho visited the activist, said Ditasari sent letters to the
\nInternational Labor Organization, Canadian Labor Union (CLC) and
\nthe Philippine Labor Union (BATA) to ask for their help in
\npressing the government for her release.<\/p>\n
\"She also urges the government to stop worker dismissals and
\nto respect the freedom of association among workers,\" Sunarty
\nquoted Ditasari as saying at the prison.<\/p>\n
Ditasari, 26, who recently rejected an offer of clemency from
\nPresident B.J. Habibie, said she refused it because she did not
\ncommit any violations.<\/p>\n
The Surabaya District Court sentenced Ditasari to six years in
\nprison in April 1997, a month before Soeharto's resignation from
\nthe presidency, because she was found guilty of defaming Soeharto
\nand his government when leading a workers demonstration in the
\ncity.<\/p>\n
She was moved from the Surabaya penitentiary to the Malang
\njail in East Java last year before being transferred to the
\nTangerang prison this year.<\/p>\n
Chief of the union's women and child labor section Dian
\nDalimunte said her organization would continue holding
\ndemonstrations in Jakarta to urge Habibie's government to grant
\nDitasari's unconditional release. (rms)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/jailed-labor-activist-demands-her-release-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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