> ***************************************************************************** > ASIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION URGENT APPEAL > > AHRC UA\970930 > 30 September > 1997 > > Further Information on UA\970715; UA\970726 > > INDONESIA:10 SBSI UNIONISTS RELEASED - BUT 8 MORE LABOUR ACTIVISTS > ARRESTED > ***************************************************************************** > > The Indonesian Prosperity Trade Union (SBSI) has been officially banned by > the police since its first congress in July 1993. Currently, the SBSI has > 250,000 members that are organized into 99 chapters and 12 sectoral > organizations. Since its formation in 1992, SBSI's key demands and actions > have aimed to improve the working conditions and the freedom of > association. SBSI members are regularly harassed and arrested by the > police. The Indonesian government recognizes only the pro-government > Federation of Al l-Indonesian Workers' Union (FSPSI) while it represses > any independent worker's organization from developing. At least four > independent trade unionists have even been killed. > > A young trade unionist, Marsinah, was murdered in 1993, but the inquiry > has been abandoned. She was murdered after organizing a strike to demand > better working conditions in a factory. Marsinah's mutilated body was > found several days after the murder. The factory owners, managers and > security guards were arrested and charged with the murder. They were all > released, however, because of a lack of proof. > > CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS > > 19 September 1997: The police declare that the SBSI's second congress was > "illegal" and forcibly interrupted it. The congress was attended by 200 > delegates, including a few foreign trade union representatives. The police > arrested 10 Indonesian SBSI unioni sts, two overseas trade unionists and > two Dutch journalists. > > 20 September 1997: All of those arrested at the SBSI congress are > released. The Indonesian trade unionists were released, however, on > condition that they report to the police once a week for an indefinite > period. > > 22 September 1997: Nike, a U.S. multinational, decides to cancel its > production contract with four subcontracted factories which do not respect > the minimum pay and working condition standards. This was the first time > that Nike decided to cancel its contra ct with a subcontractor for not > respecting its code of conduct. > > 23 September 1997: Eight trade union activists from the National Committee > for the Fight for Democracy were arrested when they took part in a > demonstration of more than 1,000 striking workers from two shoe-exporting > factories outside the national Parliame nt in Jakarta. They were > motivating workers surrounding the Parliament to march to the nearby > Department of Labour. > > The striking factory workers were from the factories PT Sindoll and PT > Multi Beta Pertiwi, which produce shoes for Reebok International and > Starmont. The workers were on strike demanding higher wages and better > working conditions, especially in terms of f ood, transport and medical > care. > > RECOMMENDED ACTION > > Please write polite letters and faxes calling on the Indonesian government to: > > 1. Express concern about the riot police attack on the SBSI congress and > the detention of trade unionists and labour activists; > > 2. Release immediately and unconditionally Muchtar Pakpahan and all other > trade unionists detained solely for the non-violent expression of their > views; > > 3. Recognize independent trade union organizations and stop repressing > trade unionists engaged in organizing activities. > > Please send letters and faxes to: > > 1. Indonesian Minister of Justice > > Haji Utoyo Usman S. H. > Menteri Kehkiman > Jl. H. R. Rasuna Said Kav. 6-7 > Kuningan, Jakarta Selatan, Indonesia > Fax: (62) 21-525-3095 > > 2. Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs > > Ali Alatas S. H. > Menteri Luar Negeri > Jl. Medan Taman Pejambon No. 6 > Jakarta, Indonesia > Fax: (62) 21-380-5511/360-517/345-7782/360-541 > > 3. Chief of National Police > > Maj. Gen. (Police) Banurusman Atmosumitro > Kapolri, Markas Besar Kelpolisan RI > Jl. Trunojoyo 13, Kebayoran Baru > Jakarta Selatan, Indonesia > > 4. National Commission on Human Rights > > Prof. Dr. Baharuddin Lopa > Sekretaris Jenderal > Komisi Nasional Hak Azasi Manusia (Komnas HAM) > Jl. Latuharhary No. 4B > Menteng Jakarta Pusat > Indonesia > Telephone/Fax: (62) 21-392-5227 > E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > 4. The diplomatic representative of Indonesia accredited to your country. > > Kindly inform us of any action undertaken quoting the code of this appeal in > your reply. > > S. Samydorai > Programme Coordinator > Asian Human Rights Commission > > ***************************************************************************** > > You may repost this message on to other sources provided the main text is not > altered in any way and both the header crediting the Asian Human Rights > Commission (AHRC) and this footer remain intact. > E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Web page: http://www.hk.super.net/~ahrchk > > ***************************************************************************** > > > >
