Prisoners of Conscience (The Observer, 12 Agustus 1979)

=== [PDF page 1] === Prisoners of Conscience The Observer (1901- 2009); Aug 12, 1979; ProQuest THE HUMAN cients situation in Indonesia has beesi-déscribed by Amnesty International as ond of the most serious in the world. Up ta 20,000: tntried prisoners are. still’ detained nearly..14 san after the attempted: coup of October: 1965, eG ‘Yn: 1966: four women, all active in a left. wing: women’s organisation called ‘Gerwani,’ were*-arrested on.-charges of subversion. Sulami; Sudjinah, Sri Ambar Rukmiatl: and Subarti Harsono (above, left to right) were not brought to trial until sine. years later. They were alleged to. have’ engaged, in. subversive acts in the period after the attempted coup, including ‘publication. of ‘an illegal bulletin, acquisition of false identity cards, Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. F ’ prisoners. Sulami was-sentence@ to 20 years’ imprisonment, Sudjinah to-18 years, and Sri. Ambar Rukmiati and Suharti Harsono to’ 15 years.. 2: Amnesty, which has taken up the women’s case, says it believes none of their links with organisations legal at the time, and none of their activities after 1965, amounted to crimes _ Jastifying imprisonment | - _ Amnesty is asking for letters appealing for, the prompt, unconditional release of the four -women to be sent to: His-Excellency Presi. dent Suharto, President of the Republic of Indonesia, Istana.Negara, Jalan Veteran, Jakarta, Indonesia. ons ‘and attempts to help Ss political urther reproduction prohibited without permission.