File spoon-archives/aut-op-sy.archive/aut-op-sy_2001/aut-op-sy.0108, message 222


From: "Margaret" <margaret-AT-rie.net.au>
Subject: AUT: B-GE:INDONESIA: A Contra-Transgenic Activist Arrested 
Date: Fri, 17 Aug 2001 09:39:49 +1000


From:  <ban-gef-AT-lists.greenbuilder.com>
Sent: 09 August 2001 19:28
Subject: B-GE:INDONESIA: A Contra-Transgenic Activist Arrested

On 8 Aug 2001, at 14:40, YLK Sulsel wrote:
ylkiss-AT-indosat.net.id

Press Release of Consumers Organization of South Sulawesi
(YLKSS)
August 7, 2001

A Contra-Transgenic Activist Arrested after a Visiting of Indonesian
Parliament

Andi Mappasomba, an activist of NGO, Yayasan Pendidikan
Rakyat Bulukumba, South Sulawesi, arrested by Bantaeng Resort-Police,
South Sulawesi soon after a hearing between a member of Commission III
Indonesian Parliament (DPR RI) and local council-government in
Bantaeng, August 7 2001. A member of Indonesian Parliament was
taking visiting to Kaloling village, Bantaeng, to see transgenic cotton
(cotton Bt), that had launched and promoted by Trans National
Corporations Monsanto-based St. Louis, USA.

About 100 Bantaeng farmer responded that visiting by taking
demonstration to refuse transgenic plant in Bantaeng. At 12 p.m., a
member of Indonesian Parliament that accompanied by local
council-government were having a hearing concerned about
transgenic cotton that now have been emerged to be a controversial issue.

Mappasomba arrested by Resort-police of Bantaeng at 2 p.m. in
Bantaeng. According to a guard commander of the Bantaeng
resort-police, 2nd lieutenant Haris, explained that Mappasomba was
considered have made a provocation to mass to take a contra to
transgenic cotton. According to the police, Mappasomba was
arrested to save him from pro-transgenic mass.

One of a farmer, Amir from Kaloling village, who knew the arresting,
said that Mappasomba arrested because he asked about
environmental impacts caused by transgenic plant and over-doses use of
pesticide in cotton Bt. "This kind of question should not be asked by him"
said
Amir.

The few NGO in South Sulawesi: Yayasan Lembaga Konsumen
Sulawesi Selatan (YLKSS), Yayasan Pendidikan Rakyat (YPR), Barisan
Oposisi Rakyat (BOR) and Yayasan Bumi Hijau (YBH) are very regretting
to that case.  An arresting of an activist in a formal forum like a hearing
with a member of Indonesian Parliament is an act despising and
unconstitutional. It is an arrogant action of the police and as
indication of a bad start of Megawati's government (the new
president of Indonesia). While we hope soon the Bulukumba Resort-police
and South Sulawesi Regional-Police to clarify that case.

Judy Rahardjo (the secretary of YLKSS)

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