Security approach excessive

Security approach excessive

From Media Indonesia

On Feb. 23, several women belonging to a group called the Voice of Concerned Mothers (SIP) launched a peaceful demonstration to express their concern about the economic and political crisis having a negative impact on future generations.

The protesters consisted of intellectuals, professionals, employees and housewives. The peaceful protest at the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle was accompanied by the distribution elsewhere of milk for infants, children and pregnant women. The protest was closely watched by armed security personnel. They rounded up three protesters: Karlina Leksono, Gadis Arivia and Wilasih Noviana. They were interrogated in a marathon session that continued into the early hours of Feb. 24.

With regard to the arrests and unreasonable interrogation of the three women for their humanitarian action, Women's Solidarity hereby states its deep concern.

We protest the security approach; it was excessive and in violation of human rights. We appeal to the National Commission on Human Rights to:

1. Strongly protest the methods of security approach practiced by the police in the arrest and interrogation of the three women. The methods are in violation of Article 28 of the 1945 Constitution and the 1948 Universal Declaration on Human Rights, especially with regard to freedom of association, expression and organization.

2. Stop these methods of interrogation (marathon session with intimidation by the investigators) because they are in violation of human rights and can be categorized as forms of mistreatment.

TATI KRISNAWATY

SIP Chairwoman

Jakarta