Kevin Rudd visits Indonesia

Kevin Rudd visits Indonesia

Sydney, 7th July 2011 - When Australian Foreign Minister, Mr Kevin Rudd, visits Indonesia 8-9 July to discuss the issue of live-cattle export, the issue of political prisoners should also be raised, in the same way that Mr Rudd did in Burma during his recent visit.

Mr Rudd's call for dialogue between Aung San Suu Kyie and Burmese authorities, and the release of all political prisoners, should now be - during this visit to Indonesia - a call for dialogue between Indonesian authorities and West Papuan leaders and Mr Rudd should urge the release of all political prisoners in West Papua and Ambon.

The export of live-cattle remains a volatile issue but further detracting from Australian-Indonesian relations is the issue of Indonesia crew members under 18 years of age being treated as adults in jails and detention centres in Australia (as reported in Sydney Morning Herald, 14June 2011). Hadi is one of 60 Indonesian crew members held in an adult jail in Perth.

Eko Waluyo spoke to his family in Solo, Central Java, and has confirmed that Hadi is just 16 year old and that Hadi’s mother is seriously ill. Mr Rudd’s primary purpose in visiting Jakarta will achieve more through consistent application of humanitarian principles and this would include the release of Hadi as soon as possible, in compliance with the UN Rights of the Child.

ENDS

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