There is growing concern for the health of two men currently on trial for subversion. Both are detained in Cipinang Prison in Jakarta and have not been allowed to obtained medical treatment since being transferred there earlier this year. They were arrested after the raid on the PDI office in Jakarta on 27 July 1996. They have both been on trial since December 1996.

Muchtar Pakpahan, 44, is the leader of Indonesia's independent trade union, the Indonesian Prosperous Workers' Union (Serikat Buruh Sejahtera Indonesia, SBSI).

Pakpahan is an outspoken critic of the Indonesian Government and has frequently raised his concerns about labour rights, human rights and Indonesia's occupation of East Timor. He has been charged under two separate sections of the Anti-subversion law for "overthrowing, damaging, undermining state power or the authority of the legal Government or the State apparatus" for which the maximum penalty is death. He has also been charged under Article 154 of Indonesia's Criminal Code for spreading hatred against the government which carries a maximum penalty of seven years.

Since being arrested, Muchtar Pakpahan has suffered a variety of ailments, including vertigo, sinusitis and stomach disorders. He was unable to attend at least one court hearing because of ill health. He is now complaining of a very painful swelling of his left arm, from the wrist to the elbow. The cause of the swelling is not known.

At first when Pakpahan asked the judge to instruct the authorities to arrange for medical treatment, the judge said this was not within the authority of the court. After further complaints in court, the judge instructed the prison authorities to arrange for him to receive treatment.

However, the Director of Cipinang Prison will only allow Muchtar Pakpahan to be treated at a police hospital. Muchtar can accept this but insists that his family doctor should accompany him and be present during the treatment. This request has not yet been granted. It is understood that Muchtar may refuse to attend the next court hearing on Monday, 3 March if his request is not granted.

Petrus Hariyanto, 26, is the Secretary-General of the People's Democratic Party (Partai Rakyat Demokratik, PRD), the organization blamed by the Indonesian authorities for "masterminding" the events in Jakarta in July 1996.

After his arrest on 11 August 1996, he was held incommunicado until 18 August when his family were finally provided with information about his whereabouts. Earlier this year, he was transferred to Cipinang Prison. He is facing three separate charges under the Anti-subversion Law and also a charge under Article 154 of the Indonesian Criminal Code.

For several weeks, he has complained of suffering from a painful itching condition and swelling over the whole body. As far as is known, he has not received any medical treatment since being transferred to Cipinang Prison.