Farmers win rights award

SURABAYA: The Legal Aid Foundation here presented the Nipah Award on Tuesday to Gambar farmers in Blitar for their persistent struggle to reclaim their land.

Foundation head Arsori said the farmers won back last year the right to the 1,050 acres of land which was seized by the government in 1966 for a state coffee plantation. However, the government has returned only 168 acres.

"By giving this award, we hope that all farmers in the country are motivated to defend their rights to their land," Arsori said.

The foundation has presented the award since 1997 in conjunction with World Human Rights Day, which falls on Dec. 1.

The award is named after the Madura village whose residents fought the military to defend their land which was earmarked for the building of a dam in 1993. Four villagers died from gunshot wounds, but results of an investigation into human rights abuses remain unclear.

Subagyo, who received the award on behalf of his fellow villagers, said: "We will continue our struggle. If necessary, we will see the President himself." (nur/04)