WRI homepage > Publications > The Broken Rifle > No.41, November 1998
1 December is Prisoners for Peace Day
- Honour Roll of Prisoners for Peace (updated 20.11.98)
- Ideas for Action
- Sending cards
- Helping WRI's work on prisoners for peace
- Prisoners for Peace in French, Spanish, and German
- Thank yous
- Articles:
Prisoners for Peace Honour Roll 1998
1 December is International Prisoners for Peace Day, and every year War Resisters' International invites supporters to send greetings cards to prisoners. The Honour Roll includes those imprisoned for conscientious objection to military service and for nonviolent action against war preparations.
Each year the day has a focus on a particular region or campaign: this year we highlight political prisoners in Indonesia, East Timor and West Papua.
There are no legal provisions for conscientious objection, for religious or any other reason. Military service lasts two years. Several Jehovah's Witnesses are known to have been sentenced for "draft evasion":
* John Martirosian (in 09/97 -- out 02/99)
Objector, Jehovah's Witness.
* Tigran Petrossian (in 08/97 -- out 02/99)
Objector, Jehovah's Witness.
* Samvel Manukian (in 07/97 -- out 05/00)
Objector, Jehovah's Witness, reported to have been severely beaten.
All three are held in:
g Kosh, ITK, Nachalniku, Armenia.
* Yerem Nazaretian (in 11/97 -- out 10/99)
Objector, Jehovah's Witness.
* Andranik Kosian (in 01/98 -- awaiting trial)
Jehovah's Witness. Was first arrested in November 1993 following his refusal to perform military service on religious grounds. He escaped, was re-arrested and sentenced in March 1997 to one year's imprisonment for "draft evasion". He was amnestied in April 1997, but forcibly removed to a military unit in June 1997. He escaped again and was re-arrested in January 1998. He is reported to have been severely beaten and is awaiting the outcome of a second medical examination (because of a heart condition) and trial for "evading military service".
Both are held in:
g Yerevan, Sovetashenskoyeshosse 20, SIZO, Nachalniku, Armenia.
* Karen Voskanian (in 09/98 -- expected out 04/01)
Objector, Jehovah's Witness
g Gyumri, SIZO, Nachalniku, Armenia.
* Stellan Vinthagen (BT8233)
HM Prison Preston, 2 Ribbleton Lane, Preston PR1 5AB, Britain.
(in 13/09/98)
* Ann-Britt Sternfeldt (BE8971)
* Annika Spalde (BE8940)
HM Prison, 617 Warrington Road, Risley, near Warrington, Cheshire WA3 6BP, Britain.
(both in 13/09/98)
All three Swedish activists were arrested on 13/09/98 within the perimeter of the Barrow-in-Furness shipyard, in northern England, where they had begun to dismantle military equipment. Calling themselves "Bread not Bombs Plowshares", they acted separately from -- but in cooperation with -- the Trident Ploughshares 2000 Campaign. Currently on remand. Their trial is expected in early 1999.
* Tihomir Campanello
For information and to send support messages, contact:
Zap_zg@geocities.com
(Objector, faces arrest)
Tihomar has worked in Switerland for several years and he is currently studying at the University in Zagreb. He was registered in the military files of the now-defunct Yugoslav People´s Arrmy (YPA), but was never called up, not even after the YPA was replaced by a Croatian Army. The Croatian authorities noticed their 'mistake' when Tihomir asked for his passport to be renewed. His request was denied and he was sent to a medical check-up, prior to call up. Tihomir got information about conscientious objection from NGOs and decided to apply for CO status. However, he was told he should join the army by 11 November, even though his case would not be decided until later. He refused to do so and could be arrested anytime. He is considering going on hunger strike if he is incorporated by force into the army.
At present there are five total objectors in Finnish jails. Only one wants to receive letters.
* Harri Pölönen
Pohjois-Karjalan lääninvankila, PO Box 17, 82201 Hammaslahti, Finland.
(in 30/6/98 -- out 16/1/99)
Total resister jailed in the Northern Karelia District, near the Russian border, together with one other total resister. There are many nazi skinheads in that prison..
* Sönke Müller
zZt im Arrest, 15/LwAusbRgt 1, Hamburger Str 162, 25746 Heide, Germany;
orc/o Die Desertöre, Nernstweg 32, 22765 Hamburg, Germany.
(arrested 03/09/98)
Total resister. After protesting in front of military barracks, he presented himself to the military authorities for induction, but refused to obey orders, wear a uniform, or give his personal information. Sentenced on 6 November to a fourth period of 21 days. He will probably be released before December. However, he is likely to face a civilian tribunal for further sentencing.
* Jörg Eichler
email: je519121@Rcs1.urz.tu-dresden.de
Total resister. A warrant for arrest has been issued against him, after he refused to present himself to the military authorities in Pfreimd, Bavaria, on 1 July 1998. On 1 August another total objector, Michael Fücker, went to the barracks with Jörg's call-up papers. The army arrested him and did not notice their mistake until the following day, when Jörg and other protesters organised a demonstration. Jörg himself was arrested on 5 November in Dresden and is expected to be held in jail for some weeks until his trial for desertion.
* Budiman Sudjatmiko (13years)
PRD chairman.
* Ignatius Damianus Pranowo (9years)
* Gusti Agung Anom Astika (4 years)
* Petrus Haryanto (8 years)
* Suroso (7 years)
* Yakobus Eko Kurniawan (8 years)
PRD members.
* João Freitas da Camara (10 years)
East Timorese, organised a protest against the Santa Cruz massacre, 1991.
All the above prisoners are held in:
LP Cipinang, Jakarta, Indonesia.
* Dita Indah Sari (5 years)
PRD member, union organiser.
* Garda Sembiring (12 years)
PRD member.
Both held in:
LP Tangerang, Jakarta, Indonesia.
* Don AL Flassy
* Agustinus Ansanai
* Baas Yufuwai
* Laurence Mehuwe
* Sam Yaru
West Papuans, tried to organise a dialogue on the territory's political status; charged with "rebellion" and "slander"; all awaiting trial.
* Theys Eluay
West Papuan. Charged with "rebellion", "slander", and "association with organisations which have intent to commit crimes".
All are believed to be held in:
Kapolda Irian Jaya, Jayapura, Irian Jaya / West Papua, (Indonesia).
* Francisco Miranda Branco (15 years)
East Timorese, made banners for march to Santa Cruz cemetery, 1991.
* Gregorio da Cunha Saldanha (life)
East Timorese, helped organise march to Santa Cruz cemetery in 1991.
* Jacinto das Neves Raimundo Alves (10years)
East Timorese, organised a protest against the Santa Cruz massacre, 1991.
* Saturnino da Costa Belo (9 years)
EastTimorese, helped organise march to Santa Cruz cemetery in 1991.
All are being held in:
LP Semarang, Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia.
* Mordechai Vanunu
Ashkelon Prison, PO Box 17, Ashkelon, Israel.
Kidnapped in Italy in 1986, sentenced in 1988 to 18 years for exposing Israel's nuclear programme. Was in solitary confinement until early 1998.
* Yehuda Igos
For more information, contact icontuvi@netvision.net.il
Conscientious objector. Anarcho-pacifist student, who applied to the army´s commission on exemption on ground of conscience. His application was refused without explanation. He is currently in prison and should be released soon, but there is a risk he might be sent back to jail afterwards.
* Grigory Pasko
No address available.
Military journalist and nuclear whistleblower under arrest for espionage -- in custody since 11/97.
* Vadim Nazarov (in 29/04/98, 12 months)
c/o Antimilitarist Radical Association, Ul Trubnaja 25-2-49, 103051 Moscow, Russia.
Conscientious objector, Jehovah's Witness.
Three objectors, who were refused the option of doing an alternative service, are believed to be in jail currently, but we could not obtain their names and prison addresses. According to the 1995 Civilian Service Act, applications for conscientious objector status and alternative service can only be made within two weeks of the first call up, usually done when people are 17. In practice, this time limit seriously reduces the right to conscientious objection. In addition, substitute service lasts 24 months, twice the length of military service, and is administered by the Ministry of Defence.
On 14 October, the Spanish government granted a pardon to the last 20 total resisters still in jail for refusing to do their military or civilian service. However, three "insumisos", who took part in MOC's "Insumisión in the barracks" campaign, remain in a military prison, in 3rd grade. Five other MOC members, from Bilbao and Iruña, have also declared their objection after starting their military service. Three have been sentenced and are facing arrest. The other two will be tried shortly by a military tribunal.
* Elías Rozas Álvarez
* Ramiro Paz Correa
*Plácido Ferrándiz Albert
Prision Militar de Alcalá, Ctra Alcalá-Meco, km 5, 28805 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, State of Spain.
Total objectors, in 08/97.
* Alberto Estefanía
* Unai Molinero
* José Ignacio Royo
Contact: c/o KEM-MOC, Iturribide 12-1º D, 48005 Bilbao, Euskadi, State of Spain.
Facing arrest.
* Alberto Isaba Lacabe
* Jesús Belascoain Equisoain
c/KEM-MOC Iruña, Apdo 1126, 31080 Iruña, State of Spain.
Trials on 11/11 and 25/11/98.
* Osman Murat Ülke (in23/10/97)
1 Taktik Hava Kuvvetleri Komutanligi, Askeri Cezaevi, Eskisehir, Turkey.
(currently undergoing transfer)
osi@info-ist.comlink.de
Total resister sentenced to 10 months and a fine on 23/10/97 on charges of "desertion" and "continued disobedience". He has faced several trials and many months in prison since then. He was released from the military prison mid-November, but was kept in the recruitment office for a few days, waiting to be sent back to 'his' military unit under escort. ISKD activists are hoping to be able to visit him on 20 November at the military barracks. This is a very hard blow for Osman, who is caught in a seemingly endless spiral of trials and detention. ISKD is currently considering what type of actions (if any) might be most appropriate in this situation. For more information, contact osi@info-ist.comlink.de.
The right to be a CO is not legally recognised, and there are no provisions for subtitute service. There are currently two Jehovah's Witnesses known to be in prison.
* Roman Sidelnikov (in 06/98 -- out 05/00)
g Chardzhau, ITU, Nachalniku, Turkmenistan.
Sentenced to two years conditionally in May 1996 for refusing call-up papers, but amnestied six months later. Sentenced in June 1998 to two years' imprisonment for "draft evasion".
* Oleg Voronin (in 09/98 -- expected out 10/03)
g Gushgi, IT Uvoennogo naznacheniya, Nachalniku, Turkmenistan.
Sentenced to five and a half years' imprisonment for "evading military service", after he was forcibly removed to a military unit. He is believed to have been severely beaten and to have been refused a lawyer. No one has had access to Oleg Voronin since his detention in Gushgi military prison.
* Susan Crane (#87783-011)
FCI Dublin Unit A, 5701 8th St, Dublin, CA 94568, USA.
(in 14/02/97, 27 months)
* Steve Kelly SJ (#00816-111)
LSCI Allenwood, PO Box 1000, White Deer, PA 17887, USA.
(in 14/02/97 -- out 6/99)
Susan and Steve -- members of the Prince of Peace Plowshares -- were convicted of conspiracy and $28,000 damage to government property after they hammered and poured blood on the Tomahawk cruise launching system installed on the USS The Sullivans in Maine. There were also sentenced to two years' supervised release/probation, and a $4000 restitution fine.
* Kathy Boylan
* Sr Ardeth Platte
* Sr Carol Gilbert
Kent County Detention Center, Unit A, 104 Vickers Dr, Chestertown MD 21620, USA.
(in 17/05/98)
* Fr Frank Cordaro
* Fr Larry Morlan
Charles County Jail, PO Box 1430, La Plata, MD 20646, USA.
(in 17/05/98)
All five are members of "Gods of Metal Plowshares" and were arrested for their disarming of a B-52 bomber. Convicted of damage to property on 22/09/98 and awaiting sentencing in January 1999.
* John Patrick Liteky (#83725-020)
(2 years, out 06/2000)
FPC Sheridan, PO Box 6000, Sheridan, OR 97378-6000, USA.
Sentenced for several blood pouring protests against the School of the Americas (at the Pentagon on 29/09 and 20/10/97 and at Ft Benning on 25/02/98).
* Richard Streb (#88113-020)
(6 months, out 03/99)
FPC Beckley, POB 350, Beaver WV 25813, USA.
Arrested for repeated trespass at the School of the Americas, Ft Benning.
* Kathleen Rumpf (#02117-052)
(in 23/07/98; six months)
Danbury Prison, Pembroke Station, Rt 37, Danbury, CT 06811-3099, USA.
* Fr Bill Bichsel SJ (#86275-020)
(in 10/98, 12 months)
FPC Sheridan Unit 5, PO Box 6000, Sheridan, OR 97378-6000, USA.
* Sr Marge Eilerman OSF (#88106-020)
(in 10/98, 12 months)
FPC Lexington, 3301 Leestown Rd, Lexington KY 40511, USA.
* Ed Kinane(#86279-020)
(in 10/98, 10 months)
FPC Allenwood, POB 1000, Montgomery, PA 17752, USA.
* Mary Trotochaud (#88102-020)
(in 10/98, 8 months)
FPC Alderson, Box A, Alderson Women's Prison, Alderson, WV 24910, USA.
All five activists were sentenced for altering a School of the Americas sign on 29/09/97.
* Daniel Sicken (#28360-013)
* Oliver Sachio Coe(#28361-013)
Federal Detention Center, Unit A, 9595 W Quincy Ave, Littletown, CO 80123, USA.
(both in 08/98 -- awaiting sentencing on 20/01/99)
Members of "Minuteman III Plowshares", who acted on 06/08//98 at a nuclear silo near Greeley, Colorado. Found guilty of conspiracy to destroy national defence property; intent to damage/destroy national defence property (sabotage); and destruction of government property. Were taken into custody after they told the judge they would not promise to return for sentencing in January 1999 and their bond was revoked. An assurance bond of $5000 was imposed.
* Pavle Bozic (in 11/97, 12 months)
8 Paviljon, KP Dom Zabela, 12 000 Pozarevac, Serbia, FR Yugoslavia.
Nazarene Christian. Refused to do military service on religious grounds. His request for alternative civilian service was granted on 30 October 1997, but he was ordered to report to Karadjordjevo military unit. He refused to carry out his alternative service in a military institution and was arrested a few days later and sentenced on 23/02/98 to one year's imprisonment for "failure or refusal to carry out an order". This is the second time Pavle has been imprisoned for refusing to carry out military service. In 1993, he was sentenced to 9 months' imprisonment, of which he served six.
Ideas for action
- On 1 December, put aside at least one hour and write at least four cards to prisoners;
- If possible, invite friends around and make an evening of it -- remember to bring nice cards, pens, photos, and some money for postage;
- Get your peace group or class or place of worship to organise a card-writing session;
- Set up a stall in your town centre -- make a mock prison cell to highlight the plight of the prisoners.
Sending cards and letters
- Always send your card in an envelope;
- Include a return name and address on the envelope;
- Be chatty and creative: send photos from your life, drawings;
- Tell prisoners what you are doing to stop war and war preparations;
- Don't write anything that might get the prisoner into trouble;
- Think about the sort of thing you'd like to receive if you were in prison;
- Don't begin, "You are so brave, I could never do what you have done";
- Don't expect the prisoner to reply;
- Remember -- next year it could be you...
If your card is returned, send it to the appropriate embassy in your country, with a request that it be forwarded to the prisoner.
Support our future work for Prisoners for Peace...
For forty years War Resisters' International has publicised the names and stories of prisoners of conscience. Help us keep up the tradition:- Send in a special PfP donation to WRI to help fund next year's research.
- Give a Peace News subscription to a prisoner on our list (or provide us with the name and address of someone not on our list).
- Contribute to our fund for free subscriptions for pacifist workers and organisations that cannot afford Peace News.
Your outreach to prisoners does make a difference. Show your solidarity!
Political prisoners in Indonesia and East Timor
When BJ Habibie took over as president of Indonesia in May, one of his first acts was to free two high-profile political prisoners. Other releases have followed -- at one point, the government was promising to release all political prisoners. But hundreds of people, some of them nonviolent activists for social justice serving very long terms, remain in Indonesian jails on political charges, and the pace of releases has slowed to a standstill. There are no more promises that all political prisoners will be released, and indeed, without international pressure, it is by no means certain that any more will be released at all. It is generally felt that the military has dictated to Habibie who may be freed and who may not, and that releases have reached the limit that the military is willing to accept.
This remains a critical moment for Indonesian activists in prison. To a large extent, the Habibie government follows the instructions of the military, but Habibie is also extremely vulnerable to outside pressure and very concerned about international opinion. If the authorities become aware that the world is concerned about those who remain in prison, it is still possible that they will decide to release them.
Cipinang Prison
One Indonesian activist has referred to Cipinang Prison in Jakarta -- where many political prisoners are held -- as "the best place in the country for reconciliation". In Cipinang, members of the old Communist Party of Indonesia have developed friendships with devout Muslims, and East Timorese and West Papuan independence activists with Javanese students and trade unionists -- in fact, some of the Indonesian activists most involved in working for human rights and self-determination in East Timor became engaged in the issue by spending time in Cipinang with Timorese prisoners.
Among those who remain in prison are eight members of the PRD, a small political party which was illegal during the Suharto years. Though the PRD has now been declared a legal organisation by a Jakarta court, and though they are not charged with anything remotely resembling a criminal act, these eight -- who were all arrested in 1996 -- seem unlikely to be released any time soon. The charges against them are that they organised labour rallies, called for a referendum on the status of East Timor, and campaigned for a more open political system that would be less dominated by the military. Budiman Sudjatmiko, the chair of the PRD, is serving a thirteen-year sentence for these "crimes". Four members of the PRD were released from prison recently [see interview with Wilson bin Nurtiyas] but there seem to be no plans to release the remaining eight.
East Timorese prisoners
Many East Timorese are serving sentences in Indonesian prisons. Among them are three survivors of the Santa Cruz massacre of 1991, jailed for participating in a peaceful march in East Timor at which hundreds of others were slaughtered by the Indonesian military. One of the three is serving a life sentence. Two others are in prison for organising a small, peaceful rally in Jakarta to protest against the massacre.
West Papuans
There are also many West Papuan prisoners. Among them are five men arrested late in September for trying to organise a meeting to discuss the territory's political status. A sixth man, a traditional leader and former MP, tried to secure the release of the five by turning himself over to the police in their place, but in fact he was arrested and charged and the others were not released.
Another prisoner in Cipinang who must be mentioned, though he can't be strictly considered a "prisoner for peace", is Xanana Gusmão, former leader of the armed resistance in East Timor and current president of the National Council of Timorese Resistance. Though Xanana clearly did engage in acts of violence, he was also instrumental in encouraging the emergence of a nonviolent civilian resistance. Groups around the world, including Amnesty International, are now campaigning for his release, in part because he is the most universally respected figure in East Timor (along with Bishop Belo), and it is strongly felt that no peace process can be either legitimate or successful if Xanana is not directly involved in negotiations.
Some of the people included on the list have not been formally charged with anything, but we believe they are being held for nonviolent political activities. This is the case with several Timorese who are thought to be in custody because of their involvement with the unarmed clandestine resistance.
Torture and disappearances
Torture is a common event, particularly for East Timorese, West Papuan and Acehnese prisoners. Those who have not yet been formally charged and who are held in more remote locations are at special risk of torture, most commonly by beatings and electrical shocks.
Some of the people on this list are "disappeared". The government has admitted that most or all of the "disappeared" were abducted by the military for political reasons; they claim, however, to be unaware of the activists' current location or condition. Since you cannot send cards to the "disappeared", please send cards to the government of Indonesia, mentioning them by name and inquiring as to their whereabouts. (We have listed only a few of the many "disappeared".)
Partial list of disappeared activists
Felisberto Maria dos Santos: Timorese, arrested May 1997 and believed to be held because of involvement in the clandestine resistance. He was tortured before his "disappearance". Place of detention unknown.Petrus Bima Anugerah: Philosophy student and member of the PRD, disappeared some time after 31 March 1998. Place of detention unknown.
Herman Hendrawan: Student and democracy activist, disappeared in March 1998 after attending a press conference in the offices of the Legal Aid Institute (LBH). Place of detention unknown.
Suyat: member of the PRD, arrested in Java in February 1998. Place of detention unknown.
Send letters asking for information about these disappeared activists to: B.J. Habibie, President of the Republic of Indonesia, Istana Negara, Gedung Binagraha, Jl. Veteran, Jakarta Pusat, Indonesia.
Maggie Helwig is a member of the WRI Council who has been working on Indonesia and East Timor for many years.
For more information, contact the Indonesian human rights campaign, Tapol, 111 Northwood Road, Thornton Heath, Surrey CR7 8HW, Britain (+44 181 771 2904; fax 653 0322; email tapol@gn.apc.org).
The August/September 1997 Peace News carried a longer article on the political prisoners in Cipinang.
Wilson bin Nurtiyas: life in Cipinang prison
Wilson bin Nurtiyas is a member of the Legislation Committee of the People's Democratic Party (PRD) of Indonesia and coordinator of the Indonesian Solidarity with the Struggle of the Maubere [East Timorese] People. In September 1996, he was arrested following a demonstration in Jakarta. He was eventually sentenced to five years in prison, but was released in July of this year as part of a partial amnesty for political prisoners.PN: You refused to leave prison. Why?
Wilson: Yes, because I demanded that all political prisoners should be released, not just some of us. For example, in Indonesia now there are more than two hundred political prisoners. So I locked my cell for three days until the Cipinang prison guard forced me out early one morning. The military who put me into prison had to force me out. But they knew the political context.
PN: Before you went to prison, you took part in many demonstrations. You must have known all the time that there was a risk of imprisonment.
Wilson: Yeah, we know the risks. In the PRD constitution, we included the risk of being sent to jail, and also the risk of being murdered by the military. These were some of the conditions for becoming PRD members.
PN: On a day to day level, were you always worried?
Wilson: I think we have to use a dialectic reality: when the military repress the people, you have to become anti-military at the same time. When they always arrest and repress you, you lose your fear -- because they have taken away all your fear. Of course, some times we are scared. But, we can compare the situation with East Timor -- they have been repressed by the military so long, they have lost their fear.
In Cipinang prison, we were still able to communicate with our comrades and friends outside prison, and we followed the political news -- from visitors and newspapers.
Xanana Gusmão
PN: Did you meet Xanana Gusmão [the still-imprisoned East Timorese resistance leader]?Wilson: Yes, we met closely. Both of us were co-ordinators of the football competition in prison! So, we often had meetings -- every afternoon, in the football field. We set up a political prisoners' football team. Every week we had a match against a criminal football team, and we always lost -- because we discussed politics in the football game not about how to make goals. The important thing was not the game, but time to communicate.
PN: What was your daily routine?
Wilson: In Cipinang prison the political prisoners organise a lot of activities. It was us who organised the prison, not the prison officials. For example, sport: football by Xanana Gusmão and me, badminton by the Communist Party, basketball by myself, a repair shop by the communists, and a little farm -- ducks, chicken, fish.
Then, from seven o'clock when the officials opened the cell to six o'clock when they lock the cell we were organising a lot of activities. There were two categories of prisoners -- criminal and political. For political prisoners, there were four people in each cell. From evening until morning, we just stayed in our cell. Every night we had discussions, translated many political articles, and wrote articles.
PN: Did the criminal prisoners become politicised?
Wilson: I can guarantee you, if there is an election in Cipinang prison, the PRD will be number one. We organised a lot. We also established a small library in our cell. When I left there were 1500 criminal prisoners who borrowed our books.
PN: Did they return them?
Wilson: Sometimes, if there is a woman's picture in the magazine, they cut the picture out.
PN: How often were you visited?
Wilson: Two times a week -- Wednesday and Sunday.
PN: Were the prison authorities sympathetic to you?
Wilson: I can tell you like this: thirty minutes after Suharto stepped down, the prison director came to us, to all political prisoners and said, "Congratulations, Suharto has stepped down." We also organised a party with the director! This means the bureaucrats in Cipinang prison support us also.
PN: Did you receive much international support when in prison?
Wilson: There was a lot of attention. Lots of postcards, press releases, petitions. But a problem was that there was just a little bit of attention for the Communist Party members who have stayed in prison more than 30 years, and too little attention for Islamic rebels, some sentenced to life in prison. So, I think the attention for political prisoners should include the communists and Islamic political prisoners.
PN: What kept you going in prison?
Wilson: That people still resist. That there is a lot of political opposition. It gives us an optimistic aspect in prison. We believed it was just a matter of time.
Organising with the PRD
PN: Since you were released, what work have you been doing?Wilson: I am trying to organise with PRD. Two months ago, the government unbanned PRD, so we have to change our tactics from being an illegal party to a legal party. We are also reorganising our work in mass organisation -- student, workers, prison and among the urban poor. It is easier for us to make propaganda, to make pamphlets and to organise actions openly. But the PRD does not have illusions. If the military become reactionary in the future, we have special mechanisms.
PN: How hopeful are you about significant change in Indonesia?
Wilson: Of course, there is more openness, but we have to understand that the old structure of Suharto's regime still has power. The most important thing is the military. Why? Because the military is still under Suharto's control. When Suharto stepped down in May, Wiranto, the commander of the armed forces, said, "The military will protect Suharto and his family."
Now the common platform in the radical movement -- mainly liberal, student and PRD -- is how to make a coalition opposed to the military. If you want to stop human rights abuses, we have to push the military step by step from power.
East Timor
PN: What are the thoughts and feelings about East Timor in Indonesia?Wilson: Now there is more press freedom in Indonesia. Every week there is an interview with Xanana. You cannot imagine that in the past. Now he is the most popular figure in the newspapers. Now, more ordinary people can understand the East Timor problem.
I went to East Timor last month and joined a public meeting. There were more than 2000 students and youth -- all of them talking openly about self-determination and freedom for East Timor, not about a referendum any more. De facto, they have already demon strated that they are free. But in reality there is still military there. Now a mass political movement is rising in East Timor. The week before I arrived there was a big action with 10,000 people -- this is something we cannot find in the past. I think the key point is how to strengthen the political mass movement in East Timor.
PN: Do you look forward to playing football with Xanana in a free East Timor?
Wilson: You know, I asked Xanana, "If you become President, you will live in a palace in Dili?" And he said, "No, I will stay in prison." "Why?" "Because I can play football every afternoon. If I stay in the palace, I won't be able to play football; I will have lots of meetings."
From the School of the Americas to Chiapas
Last November, after enrolling in the Christian Peacemakers Team (CPT) training, I joined School of the Americas Watch in a funeral procession commemorating the murder of seven Jesuits in El Salvador. It was the second time I had "crossed the line" onto the military base at Ft Benning in Georgia, USA. There were 601 of us, 32 "repeater offenders". I thought my plans to become a full time CPTer might be delayed a couple of months at most. However, I was sentenced to six months in prison and a $3010 fine. So, on January 30, I accepted my first assignment with CPT, witnessing from Danbury Federal Prison Camp. It seemed logical to come to Chiapas next, as many military leaders in Mexico received training at the School of the Americas.
Here in Chiapas, we recently travelled to the community of Polho. This is a community of about 9000 people, of which about 8000 are refugees from the military and paramilitary violence in the area. It is a 10-minute drive from Acteal, the site of the December massacre. The community is under a state of semi-siege by the surrounding military encampments. There is a very real threat that the military will attempt to enter the community to arrest the leaders (and others) on trumped-up charges.
Soon after we arrived in Polho, I began feeling emotions that were vaguely familiar. I soon realised they were some of the same ones I experienced while in prison. Little did I know that the time I spent "inside" would prepare me for living in an indigenous community.
The people sit at the entrances to the community in a "peace belt" to deter the military from entering. Instead of security trucks driving the perimeter, there were military vehicles driving the road. The military vehicles carried more personnel with bigger weapons, but the feeling of being observed and threatened was the same.
There was constant noise at about the same level as in Danbury. In both instances, I suspect, the overpopulation contributed to this. There was constant repetition of music. At Danbury, it came from personal radios; in Polho it was from a public address system. Thank goodness I learned to "tune it out".
There was no sense of privacy or personal space. At Danbury, I shared a 2m by 2.8m space with another person in bunk beds. Here, in the room we shared with other people from outside the community who are here to lend support and help, the amount of space was slightly less. I never knew when someone was going to shine a light in my face in the middle of the night or have a late night conversation in the next bed.
The bathrooms in Polho smelled bad, but not quite so bad as Danbury. There was the same amount of privacy, but at least one could lock the door in Polho. The ratio of showers and toilets to people was the same. However, there was always an adequate supply of water in Polho.
On the positive side, there exists the same sense of humour and ability to laugh in the face of oppression. In both places, the resourcefulness in the face of scarcity is amazing. I admire the spirit and co-operation of the women in Polho. It is an example I have long wished the oppressed women of our country would follow.
Christian Peacemaker Teams is an initiative that supports violence reduction efforts around the world. CPT, PO Box 6508, Chicago, IL 60680, USA (+1 312 455 1199; fax 666 2677; http://www.prairienet.org/cpt/).
SOA Watch, 1719 Irving St NW, Washington, DC 20010, USA (+1 202 234 3440; http://www.derechos.org.soaw/).
There is life inside: thoughts from prisoner BE8941
Swedish ploughshares activist Ann-Britt Sternfeldt is currently on remand in Risley women's prison in the north of England, awaiting trial for attempting to disarm one of Britain's Trident submarines (see the October PN). Here she reflects on life in prison.
Someone is turning on my light. An eye in the hole above my bed, looking at me. It's morning. I'm tired, I would like to sleep a little more, but there is no chance. If you're still in bed when they open the door, you get in trouble -- if it's the wrong staff: "Up! Up! Come on you lazy cows! Move your sweaty asses!"
The first time I heard that officer (a woman) shouting, I wondered what was going on. I felt insulted. Today I don't bother. I don't really listen.
I miss the scent of wet leaves
It's raining and raining. That makes it easier to be in here. I miss nature. I miss walking in the forest, feeling the fresh air, all the scents. I try to imagine the scent of wet leaves on the ground, but I can't.
I look at the picture of Mordechai Vanunu on my wall. I wonder what it's like to be isolated for more than eleven years. I will never understand.
Contact in writing
It's time for "education". We have the opportunity to use computers 3 to 4 hours a day. It's great to get away to another place for a while, like going to work. I use the computers for some of my own written work -- that makes me feel that a part of my ordinary life still goes on. I sometimes have a very strange feeling that the reality "out there" doesn't have any connection with us in here. It's like we are cut off from the world and forgotten. That's why I really appreciate all the postcards and letters we get from people who support us. It helps me feel that I still belong to "ongoing" life.I think of Mordechai Vanunu again. When the staff refused him his mail for a long time, he must have felt that he didn't exist.
We have lunch and then we get locked up in our cells for an hour or so. I read my mail for the day. There is a letter from a woman who has read an article I wrote in a newspaper back home in Sweden. It aroused her interest and she wants to know more about civil disobedience. When I get such letters, I feel that it's well worth being here. To know that I inspire others gives me energy. That's the best support I can get.
Dreams of freedom
Back at education in the afternoon, one of the prisoners gives me some poems that she has written. They tell about dreams, about freedom, about missing those who are not here. Tears come to my eyes. I'm not sad, it's just that the poems are so beautiful. So much love in the words. I'm happy about the poems, I'm happy to get to know this woman.In the evening, my neighbour is knocking on my wall. "Good night Ann!" she shouts. My neighbour is a girl -- 19 years old -- who is looking for a mother. Sometimes she sits on my knee and I hold her like a little child. Every night at ten o'clock we knock on the wall and wish each other good night.
Amid all the miseries here, there is so much love. I'm grateful that I've got the chance to experience this.
Ann-Britt Sternfeldt is sharing a cell with Annika Spalde. Together with Stellan Vinthagen they have been charged with "conspiracy to commit criminal damage". If convicted, they face up to ten years in prison. Their prison addresses appear in the Honour Roll. For further information contact: Bread not Bombs Plowshares, Blomstigen 10, 424 37 Angered, Sweden (+46 31 7110316; email plowshares@hotmail.com;
http://www.plowshares.se/bnb/english.htm).
The Liverpool Catholic Worker community is coordinating prison visits: LCW, 1 Horne St, Liverpool L6 5AH, England (+44 151 264 8741; email lcw@rapid.co.uk).
Prisoners for Peace in other languages
The Prisoners for Peace list and articles are also published in Spanish, German, and French, both on paper and electronically. If you would like a paper copy of the December issue of WRI's newsletter, El fusil roto / das zerbrochene Gewehr / Le fusil brisé, please contact the WRI office at 5 Caledonian Road, London N1 9DX, Britain (fax +44171 278 0444) or send an email message to info
wri-irg.org.
To read the online version of the list in Spanish, German, or French, simply click on one of the titles below:
- Pres@s por la Paz: lista de honor
- Ehrenliste: Gefangene für den Frieden
- Prisonnier(e)s pour la paix: liste d'honneur
Thank you...
A special thanks to all those who helped in the preparation of this year's Prisoners for Peace. Those who provided names of prisoners included Amnesty International, Tapol, and the Nuclear Resister.Translations by Dominique Saillard and Gernot Lennert.
Jan Melichar did the layout for the French, German and Castellano versions.
