PAN Asia and the Pacific
11 April 2008 : Three harrowing days after they were hijacked by the
police, and with their passports confiscated, the 15 international
activists attending the WORA events in Jakarta, Indonesia to highlight the
threats of genetically engineered (GE) rice, were today freed
unconditionally.
Speaking over the phone, Sarojeni Rengam (PAN AP, Malaysia) who was one of
the detainees, said that "the unconditional release was possible due to
the tremendous support from the People’s Food Sovereignty Coalition
(KRKP), Women’s Solidarity (Solidaritas Perempuam), Alliance of Agrarian
Reform Movement (AGRA), the Indonesian Human Rights Commission for Social
Justice, Gita Pertiwi and other Indonesian NGOs. We wish to thank them for
their whole-hearted support throughout, and particularly the members of
the Human Rights Commission and a Member of Parliament for their unstinted
support and understanding."
Sharing details of this turn of events, Sarojeni also explained how upon
witnessing and being encouraged by the fairly swift response and support
from the officials of the Philippine Embassy in Jakarta towards the
Filipino delegates, the Malaysian delegates also called on the Malaysian
Embassy for assistance. However, the Malaysians were not provided any help
and informed that they would have to sort out the situation themselves.
The official she spoke to stated that he would only read the report on the
incident once it was released. Ironically, the Malaysian Embassy is
located in close proximity to the Indonesian Immigration office.
It may be recalled that the 15 detained foreign delegates from Malaysia,
Philippines, Korea, Thailand, India and Pakistan were in Indonesia to
celebrate the annual Week of Rice Action (WORA) 2008 which brought
together farmers, rural communities and activists. This year, WORA 2008
carried the theme “No to GE Rice in Asia” to inform people of the threats
to Asia’s most vital staple food crop, rice.
Attending a rally outside the palace and then in front of the Ministry of
Agriculture, to protest the promotion of GE rice and call for conserving
the diverse local rice varieties to ensure people’s food security and
sovereignty, the delegates were just about to leave for a meeting with
ASEAN officials, when the Jakarta Police effectively hijacked their bus to
the police station.
The delegates were subjected to intense interrogation for about 14 hours,
first at the police station and then at the Immigration Office. They were
then allowed to return to their hotel rooms at 3 a.m., but without their
passports which were confiscated by the Immigration Office. A day later
they were told that they would receive their passports at the airport
before their departure, but in a turn of events, these were returned to
them last evening, with no comment, query or penalty.
The detention had caused widespread concern among the local organizers of
the anti-GE rally and other NGOs, and it was their solidarity which stayed
the hand of the Immigration Office which had threatened the foreign
delegates with imprisonment or a hefty fine along with deportation.
The freed foreign activists are expected to return to their countries today.
Reference:
Biju Negi, PAN AP
Email:panap panap.net
Tel: 0060-46570271/124949680
PAN Asia and the Pacific
P.O. Box 1170, 10850 Penang,
Malaysia
Tel: 604-6570271 or 604-6560381
Fax: 604-6583960
E-mail: panap panap.net
Home Page: www.panap.net
Pesticide Action Network (PAN) is a global network working to eliminate
the human and environmental harm caused by pesticides and to promote
biodiversity based ecological agriculture. PAN Asia and the Pacific is
committed to the empowerment of people especially women, agricultural
workers, peasant and indigenous farmers. We are dedicated to protecting
the safety and health of people, and the environment from pesticide use
and genetic engineering. We believe in a a people-centred, pro-women
development through food sovereignty, ecological agriculture and
sustainable lifestyles.