The Human Rights Torch Relay (HRTR) arrived in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Jan. 4. The torch was welcomed with a procession and parade organized by the Indonesian Solidarity for Chinese Ethnics.
Numerous banners displayed the Torch Relay's message proclaiming that the 2008 Beijing Olympics and crimes against humanity cannot co-exist.
The event presented speeches on human rights and musical and theatrical acts on human rights themes presented by human rights advocates, and continued with the deliverance of the torch towards the Hotel Indonesia Circle, a renowned local landmark.
The Torch Relay was attended by several distinguished guests who support HRTR's message of raising awareness over the gross human rights abuses committed by the government in China. Among the attendees were Mr. Gatot SH from Indonesia's Legal Aid who is also the president of the Coalition to Investigate the Persecution of Falun Gong, Indonesia; Mr. Usman Hamid from Kontras, Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence; Ms. Heni from Women Solidarity; Mr. Tri Agus from Solidamor; representatives of Global Human Rights Efforts (Ghure); and many other human rights activists.
Opening words were given by organizing committee and various representatives from the community.
"The fact is that severe human rights violation is still happening in China," said Fadjar Pratikto of the Global Human Rights Efforts (Ghure).
He continued, "The aim of the global Human Rights Torch relay is to pressure the Chinese Communist Party to correct the human rights condition, as what was promised with the coming of the 2008 Olympics.
"The human rights disaster carried out by the Chinese ruler cannot be ignored. Olympics and crimes on human rights cannot co-exist in China. This is our time to give our solidarity to the people in China."
Mr. Gatot, from Jakarta's Legal Aid, echoed Mr. Pratikto's message. "Human Rights violations that are still taking place in China and the persecution as well as repression that comes upon Falun Gong need our attention."
Ms. Heni from Women's Solidarity and Mr. Tri Agus from Saldimor both stressed the need to better the human rights conditions in China as well as in Burma, whose military regime, openly supported by the Chinese Communist Party, perpetrates callous violence on the people of Burma.
In this event, Indonesia's Solidarity from Chinese Ethnics also issued a petition directed to the International Olympics Committee, proposing that Indonesia's Solidarity for Chinese Ethnics support the Global Human Rights Torch Relay in order to correct the human rights situation in China.
The petition also urged the Chinese authorities to stop the persecution against Falun Gong practitioners, which has included live organ harvesting to meet the high demand for organ transplants in China.
Following the oration and theatrical attractions, the torch was lit and brought up to the stage by three ladies dressed as Grecian goddesses. Alongside them, the Human Rights Torch hymn was playing soulfully. The torch was then passed onto Mr. Gatot from Indonesia's Legal Aid, and then onto representative athletes ran with the torch around the Hotel Indonesia Circle.
The event ended around 4pm local time, with the arrival of the group of athletes and the Torch in Hotel Indonesia Circle. Banners were extended around the area and welcomed much attention from passersby and passing traffic. The journey of the Human Rights Torch will continue to the following cities: Jogjakarta (Central Java), Surabaya (East Java), Denpasar (Bali) and Batam (Sumatera). After passing through Indonesia, the Torch will continue on in Singapore.
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