Rally, vandalism mar UN meeting in Bali
Rally, vandalism mar UN meeting in Bali
The Jakarta Post, Nusa Dua, Bali
An unexpected rally by non-governmental organization activists
and vandalism against property belonging to the Indonesian
People's Forum marked the UN meeting on sustainable development
here on Friday.
Representatives of Indonesia's Anti Debt Coalition and Jubilee
South Africa, staged a sudden, but peaceful and colorful rally,
demanding debt cancellation for third world countries outside the
Bali International Convention Center, the venue of the
preparatory meeting for the World Summit on Sustainable
Development.
Dozens of South Africans stretching a huge banner saying "Debt
Cancellation" stood sturdy at the front door of the venue, making
midgets out of the Indonesian police.
The sudden rally surprised the Indonesian police, as they did
not expect any rally inside the Nusa Dua complex.
The protesters alighted calmly from their shuttle bus as if
they were going to attend the meeting. Seeing the rally, the
police could only stand nearby, and did not interfere.
While carrying the banner, the protesters also read out a
statement asking for developed countries to cancel the debt of
the poor and indebted countries, like most African countries. The
rally finished peacefully after around one hour.
Emmy Hafild, chairwoman of the Indonesian People's Forum
(IPF), admitted that she was unaware of the plan for the protest
and she was seen reprimanding Kusfiardi, an executive of the Anti
Debt Coalition later on during the day.
"Don't you realize that your actions could jeopardize all of
us here. The security team will now likely keep its eyes on all
our activities during this event," she admonished her fellow
activists.
Emmy strictly required all members of the People's Forum to
coordinate with her or at least inform her first before staging
any protests or demonstrations.
Starting next week, the police will tighten security around
the venue, as the ministerial meeting will commence on May 5 and
proceed through May 7.
Separately, at the Jimbaran Hill camping ground, several
unidentified people on Friday morning vandalized at least six
tents out of some thirty tents that had been erected in the
ground by members of the Indonesian People's Forum (IPF).
Adoft Tapilatu, a member of the IPF organizing committee,
said: "This is definitely the result of deliberate action by some
people. Several people who live nearby confirmed our conclusion."
An eyewitness, who refused to be named, described that at
around 10 a.m. that morning, several men entered the ground and
started tearing down tents. They hurriedly left after they
succeeded in damaging several of them.
"I don't know who they are. They just showed up, and without
saying anything they began tearing down those tents," he said.
The camping ground is located on a vacant lot at the Udayana
University campus on the top of Jimbaran hill.
The IPF's local coordinator Ngurah Karyadi condemned the
incident, stating that it was clearly designed to hamper civil
society activities during the PrepComm meeting.
"I think it has something to do with the rector's decision not
to allow the IPF to set up a camp in the university area," he
said.
Separately, Sastrawan, deputy rector of Udayana University,
vehemently denied allegations that the university administration
was behind the incident.
"I don't know anything about the incident, let alone asking
people to carry out such an action. I am trying to solve this
matter in a persuasive way," he said.
On the other hand, Udayana University rector Wayan Wita said
that the IPF was still allowed to use other facilities on the
campus, such as the large auditorium and two buses.
"If they want to hold a meeting, they can use our auditorium,
which has a capacity of 2,800, or use the two buses we have laid
on for them. We only refused to let them set up their tents in
the camping ground," he said.