Lawyer defends political activist's overseas trip

JAKARTA (JP): A lawyer for political activist Pius Lustrilanang dismissed yesterday allegations that his client's overseas travel was aimed at humiliating the country.

Hendardi of the Indonesian Legal Aid and Human Rights Association (PBHI) said that his client had no intention of embarrassing the nation.

"Pius' overseas travel is in fact for the sake of bettering human rights protection in the country," Hendardi, PBHI's executive director, told The Jakarta Post and Sinar weekly.

Armed Forces (ABRI) spokesman Brig. Gen. A. Wahab Mokodongan said Wednesday that Armed Forces Headquarters had no problem with Pius' travel abroad but warned him not to issue statements or perform activities that would undermine the nation's integrity.

Pius is now in Holland for his own peace of mind and physical safety after being abducted by unknown armed people for two months.

Pius, the secretary-general of SIAGA, a loose association of supporters of government critics Megawati Soekarnoputri and Amien Rais, told the National Commission on Human Rights on Monday that he had been abducted at gunpoint on Feb. 4 and detained in a cell for questioning for two months until he was released on April 3.

Hendardi admitted that Pius traveled overseas because he felt insecure here.

"Pius has received telephone calls threatening him not to talk to the press every night since his release on April 3," he said, adding that the threats continued up until his flight Monday.

Hendardi said it was ironic that an Indonesian citizen had to seek physical safety abroad.

He pointed out that Pius' departure was facilitated by PBHI and the rights commission, but denied any political assistance from foreign embassies.

Hendardi said he had no idea how long Pius would stay abroad.

"All I know is that he has a number of meetings on the agenda with officials and activists in the international human rights circle."

He said that Pius would meet Mary Robinson, of the United Nations' Human Rights Commission, some time next week.

Pius is one of several activists and an opposition politician who recently reappeared after going missing for several weeks. (imn)