Students continue hunger strike despite doctors' orders

Students continue hunger strike despite doctors' orders

JAKARTA (JP): One of six students who have been on hunger
strike for five days at the grounds of the National Commission of
Human Rights office was rushed to hospital on Tuesday night due
to his deteriorating health.

Andi Mayer was rushed to hospital by taxi and admitted into
Agung Hospital in Manggarai, South Jakarta.

There was no immediate information available on his latest
condition.

Andi was among two who had been recommended earlier by doctors
to halt the hunger strike.

Doctors from the Christian University of Indonesia, who had
examined the students earlier in the morning, warned that Andi
and Mona's physical condition was deteriorating.

"After examining the six students, we found indications that
both Mona and Andi Mayer were dehydrated," Dr. Arnold, head of
the medical examination team, told journalists.

"There is the possibility that they may also suffer infections
in their digestive channels," he said.

Arnold added that all six had already suffered stomach
infections.

But Mona and Andi Mayer refused the doctors' recommendation,
saying that even guns and jail would not deter them from their
action.

The six students, all members of City Forum (Forkot), began
their hunger strike at the rights body's office in Central
Jakarta on Friday to demand the release of their fellow students
detained during a protest against fuel price increases.

Students Mixil Mina Munir and Arief, along with public minivan
driver Miftahudin remain in detention after being picked up by
police during the protest on June 16.

The hunger strikers are Rey from the Christian University of
Indonesia (UKI), Dedi from the State Institute of Islamic Studies
(IAIN) in Ciputat, Tangerang, Mona from the National University
(Unas), Ardi from the Jakarta Theological Institute (STTJ), Andi
from Sahid University and Buyung from the Alliance of Students,
Youth and People.

Meanwhile, a group of 30 students from Jakarta Theological
Institute staged a solidarity rally and urged the rights body to
immediately see to the release of those still being detained.

Irfan, the group's spokesman told Gunardo, head of the rights
body's observation and investigation team, that the group had
tried to visit one of the students but had been denied visiting
rights.

"Dozens of officers intercepted us as we arrived at the gate
of Jakarta Police headquarters, and they gave us only 20 minutes
to leave," he said.

Gunardo said that the commission had been informed earlier in
the day by City Police headquarters that they were considering
the conditional release of Mixil. He said police were awaiting
someone to guarantee the release.

Gunardo also said that commission member B.N. Marbun would
visit City Police headquarters on Wednesday to seek clarification
on the detention of the three.(01)