Nick Everett, from Action in Solidarity with Asia and the Pacific (ASAP) and co-convenor of the Sydney Walk Against War Coalition and Kylie Moon, coordinator of Books Not Bombs, a youth coalition against the war, say that calls for an end to martial law in Aceh prompted Indonesian police to retaliate.
Everett and Moon, along with two other foreign attendees of the Global Peace Movements Conference, were arrested at a rally organised as part of the conference.
At a rally, marking the end of the conference, many foreign and Indonesian delegates called for an end to global militarism and the war in Aceh. Some speakers also urged the Indonesian government end martial law and withdraw Indonesian troops from Aceh.
Conference organisers say police reacted violently when activists talked about the declaration of martial law in Aceh and called the Megawati government to withdraw the troops.
Mr Everett and Ms Moon were released from the central Jakarta police station late on Thursday, May 22, and have been deported.
They are due to arrive in Sydney, today, at 6.50pm on Singapore Airlines.
They are currently in Singapore and available to speak to the media until 11.15am EST.
Nick Everett: 0409 762 081
Kylie Moon: 0411 104 813
A global protest has been called for an end to the war on Aceh today, Friday May 23. The Sydney protest will take place at 4pm at Sydney Town Hall steps.
Free Aceh demonstrations – Friday 23 May
- Sydney: 4-6pm, Sydney Town Hall steps – ph: Iggy 0421 322 175 or Pip 0412 139 968
- Melbourne: 12.30pm outside Garuda, Monash Place, Collins St – ph Vanessa 0407 023 672
- Newcastle: 4-6pm Beaumont St, Clock Tower, Hamilton – ph Jon 0438 162 597
- Darwin: 4.30pm outside Indonesian Consulate, Harry Chan Ave - ph Ruth 0421 504 376 or Rob 0419 807 175
- Adelaide: 4.30pm, outside Alexander Downer's office, 100 King William St - ph Leigh 0421 283 825 or Bronwyn 0438 123 339
- Hobart: 2pm outside Dept of Foreign Affairs, 25 Argyle St. Hobart ph Alex 0413 976 638 Canberra: 3.30-5.30pm, Garema Place. ph Andrew 0438 624 744
- Brisbane: Sat May 31, 11am Garuda Airlines, 288 Edwards St, Brisbane. ph Marce 0439 870 513