Indonesia: Further information on Fear of torture / Possible prisoners of conscience.

Six political activists are at grave risk of torture and ill-treatment after they were detained by police in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam Province (NAD). At least five of them are human rights defenders, who are believed to have been arrested solely for their peaceful expression of their political beliefs, and their work in defense of human rights. Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in English, Bahasa Indonesia or your own language, expressing concern for the safety of those named above, and urging the authorities to immediately say where they are; expressing concern about reports that Harlina and Syafruddin have been beaten, and calling upon the authorities to provide guarantees that none of those detained will be tortured or ill-treated; urging the authorities to release all seven immediately and unconditionally, unless they are to be charged with a recognizable criminal offense; calling on the authorities to ensure that all members of the police and military are made aware of the legitimate role of human rights defenders, and their responsibility to protect human rights defenders under the UN Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of individuals and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.