Ikadin calls for lawyers' security

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)