[asia-apec 74] Collective Statement: Repression Can Never Be Justified (Final Draft)

[Asian Students Association]

REPRESSION CAN NEVER BE JUSTIFIED

"The rights of the people have been destroyed," says one young man. "When
the people talk about their rights, we are always answered by generals."

The glaring events surrounding the widening crackdown of dissent in
Indonesia and South Korea have proven the veracity of this simple statement.
We are appalled by the horrific and inhumane display of brutalities by both
the Suharto and Kim Young Sam governments towards legitimate expression of
opinion by their respective peoples.

We migrant workers, regional and local NGO advocates, human rights
organizations, members of the press and citizens in Hongkong express shock
over the gross violations on civil liberties and basic human rights
committed by the military  and police in these respective countries.

We denounce and protest :

	 the violent reaction of the military towards pro-democracy Indonesians
which left at least four people dead, more than 20 injured, 226 arrested and
nearly 160 opposition supporters missing. To date, the toll is continuously
rising as the Suharto government accelerates its crackdown.

	 the so-called "anti-subversion"  laws and guidelines which permit the
military and police to deny the whereabouts of arrested individuals, subject
them to illegal interrogation, trump up false charges in Indonesian courts
and even arrest a university professor for allegedly using the Internet for
"subversion".

	 the surprise and violent attack of the South Korean police in the early
morning hours of August 20 which led to a record-breaking total of 5,715
students taken into police custody. Helicopters and police continued to fire
tear gas even when students already waved a white flag at approximately 6:15
am. Countless students were injured by the use of police force. They were
hit by police batons and kicked even when they already surrendered. 

	the prohibition of the South Korean police to allow the entry of food and
medicine for 3 days, against all humanitarian grounds,  to starved and
injured students who were in the first place, forcibly prevented from
leaving the university grounds. Police have dismissed the students' demand
that they safely return home. Instead, the police sealed the entrances,
water and electricity supply had been cut-off while tear gas were
continuously fired.  Because of these, students unnecessarily and inhumanely
suffered exhaustion, dehydration, diarrhea and infections due to inability
to treat grave injuries.

	the indiscriminate arrests and interrogation even towards students who did
not join the rally. These illegal arrests done through checkpoints, zoning
operations and even in train stations lead to illegal detention of up to 2
days without counsel. Families looking for their children were not allowed
to confirm their sons/daughters whereabouts.

	the unprecedented display of military force. Aside from the
record-breaking arrests, this is the third time since 1986 that the military
had mobilized helicopters, 12 for that matter, in suppressing an assembly.
The number of armed police officers averages from 18,000 - 20,000 per day,
four or five times the number of students. The number of tear gas bombs,
average of 1,000 a day, was staggering.

These exhibitions of power and might have trampled on the rights of the
Indonesian and South Korean students and people. Together with the  "old
communist bogey", these governments gain license to attack legitimate
peoples' actions and try to divert the attention of the people from  the
real and concrete issues that fueled the protests.

It is ironic that after Indonesia and South Korea have celebrated their
"independence" that they unleash this grand show of repression towards their
freedom-loving people. The military have indeed proven themselves
instruments of the Suharto's self-styled "New Order" and Kim Young Sam's
design of  "national security".

The growing disenchantment of the Indonesian and South Korean people over
the serious internal economic problems -  unemployment, the widening gap of
the rich and poor, contractualization, rising costs of living, etc. - and
the  overwhelming political and human rights abuse brought by increasing
militarization, iron-hand rule of civilian and military cliques, and
hypocrisy of democracy is translated everyday into greater outpouring of
demand for relevant social changes. 

The events of the past weeks in these two countries shall be remembered as
occasions of abuse and repression. However, the Indonesian and South Korean
people can neither be cowed nor silenced by the most vicious attacks on
their rights and freedom.

The undemocratic actions of the Indonesian and South Korean government and
military cannot be justified under any means.

We call on  everyone to rally behind these protests against the blatant
violations of the rights of the Indonesian and South Korean students and
people. Let us join hands with our Asian brothers and sisters in demanding
an end to the violent  and systematic crackdown of pro-democracy advocates
in these countries. 

STOP THE REPRESSION IN INDONESIA AND SOUTH KOREA!
FREE ALL POLITICAL PRISONERS!
UPHOLD STUDENT'S AND PEOPLE'S DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS!
GENUINE FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY IN INDONESIA AND SOUTH KOREA,  NOW!

Signatories:

Asia Alliance of YMCAs (AAYMCA)
Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC)
Asian Migrant Centre (AMC)
Asia Monitor Resource Centre (AMRC)
Asia-Pacific Mission for Migrant Filipinos (APMMF)
Asian Regional Exchange for New Alternatives (ARENA)
Asian Students Association (ASA)
Christian Industrial Committee (CIC)
Committee for Asian Women (CAW)
Documentation for Action Group in Asia (DAGA)
Far East Overseas Nepalese Organisation (FEONA)
Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions (HKCTU)
Hotline Asia - ACPP
Philippine Solidarity for Asian Migrants (PSAM)
Society for Community Organisation (SOCO)
United Filipinos (UNIFIL)-Migrante, Hong Kong
World Student Christian Federation (WSCF) - Asia Pacific region