Women struggle to survive sexual violence in Indonesia

IRIN - April 10, 2012

Survivors of sexual violence in Indonesia face an uphill battle in recovery as a result of an inadequate legal system, police inaction and prevailing societal attitudes that tend to be suspicious of victims, activists say.

Survivors are often reluctant to come forward because of attitudes within the family. Herna (not her real name), 27, was abused by her mother's partner between the ages of 9 and 16 but her family did not fully understand her trauma.

Solidarity with journalists in Sri Lanka, defend democratic rights!

Democratic freedoms are increasingly under attack in Sri Lanka. In a climate of intense chauvinism, critics of the government and its increasingly authoritarian and repressive policies are more and more threatened. Even journalists who have already been forced into exile are targets of threats and smear campaigns. Government members have personally called for violence against media personnel that have raised criticism of the Sri Lankan government or that have drawn attention to violations of Human Rights in the country.

Minister Mervyn Silva, in a public rally, threatened to 'break the limbs' of government critics Sunanda Deshapriya, Nimalka Fernando and Pakiasothy Saravanamuttu. He also claimed responsibility for an attack on the former president of the Sri Lanka Working Journalist Association (SLWJA), exiled journalist Poddala Jayantha, who was abducted and had both legs broken by his abductors. On a later occasion, Silva suggested that 'traitors should be executed'.

Compilation of news & analysis on the drama of fuel price hike

Subsidized fuel rocketed will kill people and people will weight war

Price of fuel in Indonesia may still be going up

Jakarta Globe - April 2, 2012

Agustiyanti, Rizky Amelia, Arientha Primanita & Ezra Sihite -- Indonesia can increase the price of subsidized fuel as early as next month if the Indonesian Crude Price hits $135 per barrel in April, ministers said on Sunday.

The House of Representatives on Friday rejected the plan to raise the price of
Premium subsidized fuel from Rp 4,500 to Rp 6,000 (50 cents to 65 cents) beginning on Sunday, but instead approved a conditional increase.

News compilation of the people's resistance against fuel price hike

Protesters in front of Parliament, Jakarta, 30th March 2012

Fuel price-Protests continue, Makassar still on alert

Jakarta Post - April 1, 2012

Medan/Makassar -- Rallies against the government's fuel-price plans continued in several cities across the country on Saturday with the protesters targeting
lawmakers.

The fuel-price hike that prompted nationwide rallies by university students and other civic groups over three consecutive days will not take effect on April 1 as initially sought by the government.

However, the protesters appeared to be irritated by the prospect that the hike would probably be unavoidable after lawmakers concluded their plenary session after midnight on Friday.

The protesters in Medan and Makassar were adamant on Saturday they rejected the hike, now or in the future. "We're against the fuel-price hike at any time. That's nonnegotiable," rally coordinator Jumeida said in Medan.

Military wins in government's reversal on conflict bill

Jakarta Globe - March 30, 2012

Markus Junianto Sihaloho -- The government has added a last-minute provision to the bill on social conflicts that would give the military a greater role in resolving such issues, reversing an earlier pledge to curtail the military's
involvement in this regard.

Eva Kusuma Sundari, the chairwoman of the House of Representatives special committee deliberating the bill, said on Thursday the proposed article was introduced just as the committee ironed out two final points of contention ahead of the bill's expected passage next week.

Protesters reject fuel price hikes, call for subsidy increases

KRjogja.com - March 17, 2012

Bawa Jerigen, Ibu Rumah Tangga Tolak Harga BBM Naik - KRjogja.com. Sabtu, 17 Maret 2012

Tomi Sujatmiko, Yogya -- Scores of housewives from the Political Union of the Poor (Persatuan Politik Rakyat Miskin, PPRM) demonstrated against the government's proposed fuel (BBM) price hikes in front of the Gedung Agung Presidential Palace in the Central Java city of Yogyakarta on Saturday March 17.

Uniquely, the protesters also brought jerrycans with the message "Reject the BBM increases" written on them.

Round up news: International Women's Day 2012 - Indonesia

Gepari in front of Regional Parliamentary House Yogyakarta. Foto: Rani DL

Women activists in Yogyakarta reject unjust, oppressive capitalist system

Suara Merdeka - March 8, 2012

Ratusan Aktivis Perempuan Tolak Sistem Kapitalisme - Suaramerdeka.com. 08 Maret 2012

Yogyakarta – The commemoration of International Women's Day (IWD) in the Central Java city of Yogyakarta on Thursday was marked by a protest action by hundreds of women from the Indonesian Women's Movement (Gerakan Perempuan Indonesia, Gepari) voicing their demands on the grounds of the Yogyakarta Regional House of Representatives (DPRD).

International Women’s Day in Indonesia: a struggle for liberation

Zely Ariane[1]

Protest Action against Sexual Harassment March 4th 2012

This year International Women’s Day in Indonesia is marked by an increase of attacks on women. The increasing frequency of violence against women, particularly sexual violence, and the recent government plan to raise the fuelprice  threatens and  burdens all women, especially poor women. Perempuan Mahardhika (Free Women) is a women's organization that has been trying to build a women's movement against all forms of oppression and exploitation caused by capitalism, patriarchy, and militarism. Fighting sexual harassment and economic policies which would further feminize poverty are parts of the important struggle for women's liberation in Indonesia.

Toward International Women's Day 2012: From Home to the State Women Are Raped

'The state is also complicit in the rape of women'

Seruu - March 4, 2012

Negara Juga Memperkosa Perempuan - Seruu.com. Minggu, 4 Maret 2012

Jakarta -- International Women's Day (IWD) is commemorated every year on March 8. This afternoon, scores of demonstrators from the Free Women National Committee (Komite Nasional Perempuan Mahardhika, KNPM) held a free speech forum at the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle in Central Jakarta.

The action, which was joined by scores of workers and women activists, took up the key issues that are yet to be resolved by the government such as women's battle against rape and sexual harassment in Indonesia.

The state is complicit in rape and sexual violence against women

Free Women National Committee International Women's Day Statement - March 4, 2012

In the home and in the streets, women are being raped. The government and the parliament are ignoring cases of rape and are complicit in sexual violence against women.

According to data from the National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Komnas), between 1998 and 2010 rape was the most common form of sexual violence, involving as many as 4,845 out of a reported 8,784 cases. And more than three-quarters of all incidents of sexual violence, as many as 70,115 out of 93,960 cases, were committed by individuals close to the victims such as fathers, husbands, older brothers and boyfriends. This makes us realise that being around the people closest to them is no guarantee that women can avoid sexual violence.