ACHEH URGENT APPEAL: ARBITRARY ARREST AND TORTURE OF FOUR WOMEN

March 1, 2005 (Acheh Human Rights Online) URGENT APPEAL Ref: UA 05 / 05. NAMEs: Ibunda Safwani, 49; Salbiati Sarong, 25; Hasmawati, 22; Hasanah, 53. VIOLATIONS: Arbitrary arrest and torture
 
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please copy the letter below or write in your own words and send to:
Dr. HAMID AWALUDIN , Minister for Justice and Human Rights: rohumas@depkehham.go.id
AND Cc:  urgent-action@ohchr.org, polkam@polkam.go.id, 1503@ohchr.org

OPTIONAL: PLEASE ALSO SEND APPEALS TO: Diplomatic Representatives of Indonesia in your country.

Link to Indonesian Embassies worldwide http://www.embassyworld.com/embassy/indonesia1.htm

Please cut and paste and send this appeal to your mailing lists:
 
Dr. HAMID AWALUDIN ,
Minister for Justice and Human Rights: rohumas@depkehham.go.id

Dear Minister,
I appeal to you for the immediate and unconditional release of four housewives, residents of Kilometer VIII village, Simpang Keuramat, North Acheh,
1. Ibunda Safwani, 49;
2. Salbiati Sarong, 25;
3. Hasmawati, 22;
4. Hasanah, 53. who on 27 February 2005, at 09:00 in the morning, were arbitrarily arrested by TNI posted at the district military headquarters of Simpang Keuramat. They are accused of helping GAM (Free Acheh Movement). On the way to the military district headquarters, the TNI troops Kostrad posted at PT Satya Agung, Simpang Keuramat, North Acheh, tied the women’s hands behind their backs and inflicted severe torture by beating them. When they arrived at the district military headquarters their faces were swollen and their hands badly bruised.

All of them are now detained at the district military headquarters (Koramil), in Simpang Keuramat, North Acheh.

I urge your ministry to investigate the beatings and ill-treatment of the women while  in custody and to prosecute those responsible to the fullest extent of the law.  Also, please ensure the women have immediate, on-going and regular access to the medical treatment they require.

The human rights violations of the ongoing TNI military operations against the Achehnese people who are dealing with post-tsunami trauma and bereavement amount to crimes against humanity and are contrary to the spirit of the peace talks between your government and GAM.
 
Yours sincerely
 
Copies sent to:
 
Dr. YAKIN ERTURK, UN Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women, urgent-action@ohchr.org,
Mr WIDODO ADI SUTJITO Minister for Political and Security Affairs, polkam@polkam.go.id
Mr Mike Smith, Chair of UN Commission on Human Rights   1503@ohchr.org

Taken from: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Press-for-Acheh/