(WiPC/IFEX) – International PEN is alarmed at the detention of writer and academic Lesley McCulloch in the Indonesian province of Aceh, and fears that she may have been ill-treated in detention. McCulloch was arrested on 11 September 2002 with former health worker Joy Lee Sadler and their translator in the Indonesian province of Aceh. They […]
(WiPC/IFEX) – International PEN is alarmed at the detention of writer and academic Lesley McCulloch in the Indonesian province of Aceh, and fears that she may have been ill-treated in detention.
McCulloch was arrested on 11 September 2002 with former health worker Joy Lee Sadler and their translator in the Indonesian province of Aceh. They were taken in for questioning over video footage and photographs in their possession relating to the separatist Free Aceh Movement, and were charged with carrying out “activities incompatible with tourist visas” under Article 50 of the immigration law, which carries a sentence of up to five years’ imprisonment. It seemed likely that the charge would result in deportation, but according to reports on 19 September, a spokesman for the Aceh police expressed a desire to “make an example” of the two women and thus pursue a custodial sentence. It remains a possibility that the security forces will press the more serious charge of aiding the Free Aceh Movement, considered a terrorist organisation by the Indonesian authorities. McCulloch may also face charges of espionage for allegedly passing state secrets to the Free Aceh Movement.
The women are reportedly being held in the provincial capital Banda Aceh. McCulloch has reportedly complained of mistreatment in detention, including sleep and food deprivation, beatings and being threatened with a knife. British and US diplomats in Banda Aceh were repeatedly refused permission to visit the women until 17 September.
McCulloch is an academic specialising in the Indonesian province of Aceh. She is the principal researcher on the province for the East-West Centre’s project on internal conflicts in Asia, and until June held a post as a lecturer in Asia Pacific Studies at the University of Tasmania in Hobart. She has written extensively on the conflict in Aceh for newspapers, including the “International Herald Tribune”, the “Jakarta Post” and “The Australian”, and was conducting research for a book on Aceh when arrested.
The Indonesian authorities have started to tighten their grip on both the separatist movement in Aceh and those documenting it, pledging to use strong security measures following the movement’s refusal of an autonomy package, and harassing journalists for “biased reporting” in their coverage of the insurgency.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
– protesting McCulloch’s continuing detention
– noting that she is being detained primarily for the nature of her research on the separatist insurgency in Aceh province
– expressing serious concern that she is suffering ill-treatment in custody and may receive a custodial sentence
– calling for McCulloch’s immediate and unconditional release, and for an end to the harsh treatment of those reporting on the separatist insurgency in the province of Aceh
Appeals To
Her Excellency Megawati Sukarnoputri
President, Republic of Indonesia
Office of the President
Bina Graha
Jalan Veteran No.17
Jakarta Pusat
Indonesia
Fax: +62 21 345 7782 / 778 182Minister of Justice
Prof. Dr. Muladi
S.H. Menteri Kehakiman
JI. H.R. Rasuna Said Kav. 6-7
Kuningan
Jakarta Selatan
Indonesia
Fax: +62 21 525 3095His Excellency General (Police) Da’i Bachtiar
National Police Chief
Jl. Trunojoyo No. 3
Jakarta Selatan
Indonesia
Fax: +62 21 720 7277Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
