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Health condition of MM. Pakpahan and Hariyanto

Source
International Confederation of Free Trade Unions - March 1997

[The following is the text of a letter sent by Bill Jordan, General Secretary of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, to the Indonesian Minister of Justice.]

Dear Mr Minister,

As you are most certainly aware, the ICFTU has been closely observing the detention and trial of the General Chairman of the independent union organisation, the SBSI, our colleague Bro. Muchtar Pakpahan. In the process, the ICFTU has also monitored the evolution of cases of various other detainees, owing either to their trade union background, such as the detained members of the Independent Journalists' Association, AJI, or those of the PPBI labour group, or to the similarity of charges against them with those brought against Mr Pakpahan, in relation with the events of July 1996.

The ICFTU has thus learned with extreme concern about the deteriorating medical condition of Muchtar Pakpahan and of Petrus Hariyanto, Secretary-General of the PRD. Both are detained in the Jakarta Cipinang Prison. Following various ailments suffered earlier in prison, Bro. Pakpahan now complains of a sudden deterioration which may be connected with his known heart condition. We understand the Court instructed that appropriate medical ssistance be made available, but that the Director of Cipinang Prison prevents Mr Pakpahan's doctor to be present in a police hospital where the patient would be transferred.

As to Mr Hariyanto, arrested like Pakpahan after the July 1996 events and likewise on trial since December last year, he has reportedly been refused any medical treatment at all since his transfer to Cipinang earlier this year.

I am convince, Mr Minister, that you are fully aware of the international community's deep interest for the trials presently held in Jakarta. Beside the ICFTU, the ILO, the United Nations, diplomatic and other observers have been heavily involved in their monitoring. I am thus sure you will wish to avoid any medical problem that might further increase speculation about the trial and detention conditions impose on trade union and political prisoners in Indonesia. As for the ICFTU, any such aggravation would imply an immediate and massive protest campaign by its affiliated organisations in all parts of the world.

We understand that Brother Pakpahan intends to refuse appearing in court next Monday, 3 March, if his request is not granted. May I thus urge you, Mr Minister, to do everything in your power to ensure that Mssr Pakpahan's and Hariyanto's legitimate demands are granted without delay.

Thanking you in advance,

Yours sincerely,
Bill Jordan, General Secretary

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