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)