From: Human Rights Coordinator <hrcoord@igc.apc.org>
Newsgroups: soc.rights.human
Date: 26 Jan 93 18:04 PST
Subject: Indo: Update on Students
Nf-ID: #N:cdp:1476701051:000:5017
Nf-From: cdp.UUCP!hrcoord    Jan 26 18:04:00 1993


From: Human Rights Coordinator <hrcoord>
Subject: Indo: Update on Students

/* Written  9:06 am  Jan 27, 1993 by indonow@peg.apc.org in igc:reg.indonesia */

YOGYA STUDENTS PROTEST ARRESTS AND TERROR IN EAST JAVA.
The following statement was received by the Indonesian Human
Rights Centre and AKSI - Indonesia Solidarity Action from the
Committee in Solidarity with the People of Blangguan on Tuesday 26
January and released in English 27 January.

CHRONOLOGY OF THE JOGJAKARTA  STUDENT DELEGATION ACTION TO THE
YOGYAKARTA PROVINCIAL PARLIAMENT, 25  JANUARY, 1993.
09.10   The delegation entered the Parliament building. Through
the Public Relations Office, the team requested a meeting with the
Chairman of the Parliament. But because the request was not
forwarded in accord with the office regulations a debate ensued
between the team and the Public Relations Office. Because the
debate did not lead to a resolution, the delegation decided to go
straight to the office of the Chairman on the second floor.  09.20
The delegation went to the second floor. Another debate ensued
with the Parliamentary staff. They insisted that the delegation
explain first the topic of he meeting so that they could inform
the Chairman first. The delegation would not explain in detail but
stated that they wished to talk directly to the Chairman about the
issue. The Public Relations then asked that the delegation wait
below in the lobby while he informed the Parliament. The
delegation refused, but then the delegation accepted this
statement.  09.25   The delegation waited in the lobby for a few
minutes and was then met by the Secretary of the Parliament. He
explained that he was willing to take on board whatever it was
that the delegation wish to talk to the Chairman about, because
neither the Chairman nor the Vice-Chairman were in their offices
at that time.  Again the delegation could not explain`ig detail
because they wished to speak directly to the Chairman. Because the
Chairman and vice Chairman were not present, they asked to speak
to the heads of the Parliamentary Fractions, in particular the
Armed Forces and the Development Unity Party Fraction. But
according to the House secretary, heads of fractions were not
permitted to meet people without the permission of the chairman.
It was agreed that the delegation would wait for the Chairman. The
discussion with the Secretary ended at 10.10am.  10.10   The
delegation waited.  10.40   The delegation proceeded to the
Chamber where they met:  Deputy Vice-Chairman II
Soeharto Head of the United Development Party (PPP)  fraction
Alfian Dharmawan Head of the  Development Efforts (Golkar)
fraction    Marwan Head of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI)
fraction  Thomas Among Siswa S.    and the House secretary. The
Chairman and Vice-Chairman were not present.  10.40-10.50
Introductions.  10.50   Dialogue begins. Kasmadi, Nuraini and
Rahman explained about the plight of the people of Blangguan and
the arrests by the Marines of the students from Jogja who had been
involved in the action at Blangguan. Junanto and Fajar requested
that the Parliament take action regarding the arrests of the
students. This request was particularly put to the Armed Forces
Fraction.  11.05   Reactions:  Armed Forces Fraction (Theo
Simonangkir): the Armed Forces was concerned to hear what the
students had suffered and would try to do something; he would hand
the information to the Regional Commander in Semarang and would
also contact the Regional Commander for East Java; suggested that
the delegation reported the matter to local level military posts.
The Democratic Party Fraction would inform their members in the
Situbondo District Assembly so that they take on board this issue.
The Development Effort Fraction said they would held resolve this
case and asked for  concrete data.  The United Development Party
would try to coordinate these efforts. It would also seek
confirmation of this case from the East Java Parliament and if
there had indeed been arrests to seek that the Provincial
Parliament take some action.  All Fractions emphasised that those
with authority to deal with this case was the Executive and the
Parliament was only a place to receive the people's aspirations
and all they could do was pass them on.  11.20   Nuraini read out
the statement of the Yogya Students Solidarity (SMY) organisation
regarding the arrests of students at Blangguan and regarding the
plight of the people of Blangguan.  11.40   The delegation handed
over relevant documents including the SMY statements, chronology
describing the actions, and newspaper clippings from the Surabaya
and Jakarta press.  11.50   Meeting ends.  The Delegation
comprised:  Kasmadi, Nuraini, Rahman, Yamanto, Rina Masenda, Yuli,
Fajar Pratikto, Dirman, Agung Wibawanto.  NOTE: Reports have been
cited in the following Indonesian newspapers regarding the
Blangguan incidents:MEMORANDUM (Surabaya)  (date not clear);
SURYA, 26 January, 1993; MEMORANDUM,   25January; BERITA NASIONAL,
26 January.