"They have a precious purpose and I, as a Riau Representative Government Member (RRGM) give full support towards this purpose," said Ibu Aida Ismah Abdullah, First Lady of KEPRI Governor, drawing an ovation from the 200-strong crowd at the Global Human Rights Torch Relay (HRTR) in Batam, Indonesia last Sunday.
Addressing the severity of the issue to members of human rights organisations, Red-Cross Society, athletes and reporters in front of the Batam Mayor Office, Lady Aida urged the world to "struggle together, show our solidarity and end the persecution of Falun Gong in China."
HRTR, initiated in Athens, Greece in August 9 2007 by the Coalition to Investigate the Persecution of Falun Gong (CIPFG) arrived from Bali in the morning of January 13. The two-hour ceremony bore resemblance with the Olympia ceremony, with maidens dressed in ancient Greek costumes carrying the flame, which was passed on to athletes in a 10-km relay that followed.
Emotions soared at some stage of her speech when the affable First Lady recited a poem she penned about the organ-harvesting atrocity, which welled-up tears in the audience.
"…There has ever been a single country that truly value or treat human rights with integrity…my fellow compatriots, what can be more brutal than stealing and selling the organs of your fellow countrymen? We are calling for justice; we are voicing our frustration from across the sea. Stop the abuse, stop the cruelty, stop the organ harvesting and stop your ceaseless human rights violation immediately…" Other speakers commented on the importance of the call for human rights in China.
Dr. Dzulkifli, Riau Governor Representative, praised the organizer for the opportunity to stand up for freedom. He also stressed, "The human rights abuse is our main enemy and we need to help it end as soon as possible." "The Chinese regime (CCP) is always covering up facts and spreading lies around the world. So by holding the Human Rights Relay, we try to wake the CCP up, show them that people around the world know the facts and hope they can search their conscience, stop the human rights violation and show remorse to the world," said Andreas, Batam Solidarity for Global Human Rights Leader.
The Human Rights Torch will pass through 37 countries on five continents, leaving in its wake a message that the free world will not allow injustice to hide behind a symbol of world peace.
Its message "Olympic Games and crimes against humanity cannot coexist in China" highlighted the ongoing crackdown and ironical persecution of Falun Gong practitioners who cultivate the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance.
General Ismeth Manan, Riau Chief Police Representative observed, "To serve and protect citizens is our (police) duty. So if the police intimidate and attack peaceful and harmless citizens, it is a human rights abuse. Honourable police will never do that."
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