Nature Alert: Greenpeace activists face deportation

Friday, 13 November 2009

Greenpeace activists face deportation

Rizal Harahap , The Jakarta Post , Pekanbaru, Riau | Fri, 11/13/2009

The Pelalawan Police in Riau will transfer 11 foreigners, who were arrested following a rally against PT Riau Andalan Pulp and Paper (RAPP) on Thursday, to the immigration office for deportation.

Local police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Ari Rahman said the foreigners from Brazil, Finland, Germany, Spain, the Philippines and Thailand could be charged for violating their visas.

“They entered Indonesia using temporary visas, therefore they cannot take part in a rally or other activity that may cause unrest,” Ari said.

He added that soon after they were questioned they would be sent to the immigration office for further inquiry.

Dozens of Greenpeace activists protested Southeast Asia’s biggest pulp producer for damaging forest. The police arrested the activists when they received a report from RAPP. Ari also said they arrested the activists to protect them from possible attacks from company employees.

Greenpeace Southeast Asia campaigner Zulfahmi dismissed the police’s accusation that the protest against RAPP was illegal.

He said the National Police had issued a permit for Greenpeace and the foreign activists to hold a pro-environment campaign.

“Our foreign counterparts hold temporary visas,” Zulfahmi said. “Any activity they undertake during their stay can be scrutinized by the police.”

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/11/13/greenpeace-activists-face-deportation.html

Hall of Shame for President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and the Palm Oil Industry.

Nothing can prepare one for the sight of the systematic extermination of orangutans by the government of Indonesia.

Look at the photos and news articles on these pages in the context of a statement the President made to the media on 10th December 2007.

“In the last 35 years about 50,000 orangutans are estimated to have been lost as their habitats shrank. If this continues, this majestic creature will likely face extinction by 2050,” President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said at the launch of an orangutan conservation plan at the climate talks in Bali.

“The fate of the orangutan is a subject that goes to the heart of sustainable forests … To save the orangutan we have to save the forest.”

Statements like these are most welcome, but unless backed up by action, such words fall on deaf ears within the Ministry of Forestry....who are busy granting licences to cut down the very forests the President says they should protect!

When you think you are to busy to help, please could you reflect for a moment on .........

The following extract refers to environmental problems in general. I just hope you find it as thought provoking and relevant to orangutans as I have.

"This is such a shocking and unpalatable fact that most people deny it, or they just don't want to think about it. They believe as individuals, they can do little about it, so push it to the back of their minds. But I can't do that.

When something has to be done, we need to do it. It doesn't matter how big the challenge is or how hard the solution; if I know something is wrong, and I am in a position to help, I will do my best to make it right." Duncan Bannatyne, successful British businessman.