Stop all kinds of violence

We, teachers, parents of students and alumni of the Bandung Institute of Technology have observed that the incidents of Trisakti, Semanggi I, Semanggi II and Lampung University have claimed a great number of victims, with many dead and many others injured. It is estimated that during the Special Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), demonstrations by students and other members of the community will take place. The official policy of the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the National Police is to take severa action against the demonstrators.

We hereby appeal to TNI and the police to stop all kinds of violence in confronting the demonstrators and to respect basic human rights. We also appeal to the leaders of institutions of higher learning, including those in the Rectors Forum throughout Indonesia to "protect each student action toward reform", as declared in a meeting of the Rectors Forum in Bandung in 1998. We urge students nationwide to channel their political aspirations in the context of reform through means that need not increase the number of victims.

EKO PURWONO et al

Bandung