From: Musalkazim Ali [Musalkazim_Ali@fmi.com]
Sent: Monday, December 20, 1999 11:45 AM
To: Bu-Pun-Su@timika.wasantara.net.id
Subject: FREE DITA SARI ACTION IN THE NETHERLANDS.


FREE DITA SARI ACTION

On Wednesday, july 8, Youth organisation Rebel and Student Solidarity with
Indonesia, delivered some 1000 FREE DITA SARI cards at the Indonesian
embassy in The Hague in the Netherlands. The cards demanded the immediate
release of Labour leader Dita Sari. They were send to us by students and
other youth. Some 30 activists witnessed how the personel of the embassy
refused to come outside and receive the cards. Rebel member Erik Maarsen made
the following statement:

"Today Dita Sari is being held in prison for exactly two years. Her "crime":
leading a demonstration of some 20.000 workers in Surabaya. Dita Sari is
chairperson of the Indonesi-an Centre for Labour Struggle (PPBI). Besides Dita
there are still a few hundred political prisoners in Indonesia. Among them,
Budiman Sudjatmiko, chair of the still illegal Democra-tic People's Party, PRD,
Xanana Gusmao, leader of East-Timore-se opposition and several members of the
Communist Party of Indonesia that are imprisoned already for over 30 years.

Although the Habibie regime speaks in vague terms about the release of
political prisoners and "reform", there are only a few prisoners being released
up till now. It is absolutely unclear whether Dita and the others will be
released some time soon. It's of great importance to put maximum pressure on
the regime.

Hundred thousands of Indonesians came to the streets in May and demanded an
end of oppression and dictatorship. These days people are still fighting
for total reform. Recently, workers from different areas held protest
meetings and demanded higher wages, lower prices, an end of the discrimination
of female workers and the release of Dita Sari. Soldiers hit on the
demonstrators and used electric prods. This shows how little has changed since
Suharto stepped down. The Orde Baru regime that is based on terror and
intimidation is still in charge. We support the Indonesian people in their
fight for democracy and human rights. We demand:

* The immediate release of Dita Sari and all the other political prisoners
* An explanation about the faith of the missing persons
* Soldiers back to barracks
* An end to the Orde Baru. Real democracy for the people

Today we bring the representative of the Orde Baru regime in Holland a
clear message. A message from Dutch youth:

FREE DITA SARI! DOWN WITH HABIBIE/WIRANTO! DEMOCRACY NOW!"