Sat, 16 Dec 2000

Appeal to the police

I have been following news of attacks conducted by armed groups recently. They have attacked not only pro-democracy activists but also minority groups in Jakarta and Yogyakarta.

These attacks were countered by other civilians, for instance the security task force of the Nahdlatul Ulama (Banser) that patrols Yogyakarta in order to help the police maintain security.

It obviously shows us how weak our law is. Even though all the evidence of the attacks was provided, and there were a lot of injured victims and witnesses who could tell the story, the police did not do enough to protect the civilians.

I would like to call on the police to stop violence by armed groups against civilians.

SINTA RATNA DEWI

Yogyakarta