Ikadin calls for lawyers' security

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Bar Association (Ikadin) has called on President Abdurrahman Wahid to take measures to guarantee the safety of Indonesian lawyers.

In its letter dated March 1 and signed by its president Dianna Kempe, Ikadin expressed deep concern of an attack on the office of lawyer Frans Hendra Winarta on Jl. Kelapa Gading Boulevard in North Jakarta.

"I respectfully urge you to take measures to guarantee the safety of lawyers, in accordance with Article 16a of the UN Principles on the role of lawyers," Dianna wrote in the letter, a copy of which was made available to The Jakarta Post on Thursday.

The Article states that governments must ensure that lawyers are able to perform their professional duties without intimidation, hindrance, harassment or improper interference.

The letter describes the incident at Frans's office, but incorrectly states that it occurred on Feb. 12 this year.

On the evening of Feb. 21, unidentified people fired shots at Frans's two-story office, breaking its windows. No one was injured in the incident.

Frans suspected the shooting was connected to a case his office is handling, which involves Hartono, a notorious pimp, whose house on Jl. WR. Supratman in Surabaya is to be auctioned by Bank Artha Graha. (ylt)