Solidarity Message from Lee Suster

Tue, 15 May 2007 19:03:54 -0700 (PDT)

The Honorable General Sutanto

Head of the National Police of the Republic of Indonesia

Dear Sir,

I am writing to you about the attacks carried out by FPI (a right-wing fundamentalist religious group) and others against the activists of PAPERNAS (a political organization in Indonesia) documented by the media in several areas including Yogyakarta, Surabaya and Jakarta. I want to state my deep concern in hearing about the violent acts, which are a violation of the political and human rights of the individual victims and the group as a whole. Furthermore, I am outraged that the Indonesian Government and police force have yet to take any decisive actions to hold people responsible for the clearly illegal violent actions of FPI, GERAK, FAKI and Forum Betawi Rempuk.

As a concerned friend, I urge the Government of Indonesia and

National Police of the Republic of Indonesia to:

- Immediately launch a thorough investigation, including full

prosecution of those responsible, before further damage is done to

democratic and human rights reputation of the Republic of Indonesia.

- Guarantee that all political organizations in Indonesia are free to

voice their views without fearing violence and impunity for groups

that may be responsible for attacks.

Indonesia's return to democracy after 1998 is put in question by this

behavior. I urge you to halt his injustice immediately.

Thank you,

Lee Sustar

Chicago

USA