INDONESIA/BURMA -- ACTIVISTS CALL FOR REGION-WIDE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 002855 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS (COPE),EAP/RSP, IO/UNP (WICKBERG),G (CURRIE) NSC FOR EPHU E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/10/2017 TAGS: PREL PGOV ID BM EAID PHUM SUBJECT: INDONESIA/BURMA -- ACTIVISTS CALL FOR REGION-WIDE CIVIL SOCIETY PRESSURE ON REGIME REF: JAKARTA 2772 Classified By: Pol/C Joseph Legend Novak, reasons 1.4(b)(d). ¶1. (U) This is an Action Request -- Please see Para 8. ¶2. (C) SUMMARY -- Indonesian civil society activists concerned about Burma met with Emboffs at the DCM's Residence, October 5. A/DCM and Pol/C reviewed USG Burma policy, underscoring our strong support for civil society efforts in favor of democracy and respect for human rights in Burma. The activists recommended steps meant to influence a more robust GOI and ASEAN-wide stance that supports a transition to a civilian, democratic government. The groups asked for USG support for their efforts. END SUMMARY. ¶3. (C) CIVIL SOCIETY ON BURMA -- On October 5, a group of 12 activists representing a wide spectrum of civil society participated in a lively two-hour discussion on ways to pressure the Burmese regime in the aftermath of the brutal crackdown, and its ongoing detention of monks and democratic activists, including Aung San Suu Kyi. A/DCM and Pol/C reviewed USG policy concerning Burma and our strong stand against the regime. An Iftaar dinner followed the discussion. ¶4. (C) The NGOs who attended were members of two umbrella organizations: the Civil Society Coalition for Burma and the Indonesian Conference on Religion and Peace (ICRP) (an inter-faith organization representing Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, Hindus and Confucians). Participants explained that they have been meeting regularly and speaking out on the Burmese regime's crackdown. For example, they noted: a letter they had recently sent to President Yudhoyono urging more action; a recent public event that was well publicized; and an op-ed piece on Burma that members of the NGO Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (Kontras) published in The Jakarta Post (reftel). ¶5. (C) Rafendi Djamin, head of the Human Rights Watch Group and a prominent activist, said because Indonesia has so many domestic human rights issues of its own, domestic NGOs are hard pressed for time and resources to maintain the current momentum in mobilizing on the Burma issue. Participants pointed out that Burma has inspired domestic NGOs to view human rights issues outside their borders. Despite domestic NGOs' lack of resources, participants agreed that it is important to keep this issue alive in Indonesia even after the current crisis in Burma dies down. Wardarina from Women's Solidarity suggested that a media campaign is needed to convey how events in Burma are analogous to the (ultimately successful) Indonesian democracy struggle of 1997-98 when demonstrators were imprisoned, kidnapped and killed by the Suharto regime. ¶6. (C) REGIONAL EFFORTS -- The activists said various Indonesian NGOs are closely collaborating with groups in Burma and throughout ASEAN in a variety of initiatives. For example, Borderless Struggle, a regional NGO, unites NGOs in several Southeast Asian countries to focus on a few key issues, including the murder of Indonesian human rights activist Munir Thalib and oppression in Burma, said Usman Hamid, head of Kontras and the leading activist in the Munir case. Women's Solidarity is in regular contact with pro-opposition women in Burma, that group told us. The Indonesian Coalition for Burma is directly linked with the Alternative ASEAN Network on Burma, one participant said. ¶7. (C) SUGGESTED NEXT STEPS -- The group suggested several steps regarding Burma in the near-term, including an initiative that involves inviting President Yudhoyono, Vice President Kalla, and Foreign Minister Wirajuda to a public dialogue with NGOs on Burma. They also asked for USG assistance to leverage their strength in the following ways: -- Raising Burma at two upcoming regional forums: the ASEAN People's Assembly in Manila, October 23-26, a meeting of civil society and think tanks organizations; and at the ASEAN Civil Society Conference, October 26-28, in Singapore. The JAKARTA 00002855 002 OF 002 group asked for USG assistance in sending Indonesian activists to these events. -- Sending a fact-finding team of civil society activists from Indonesia and other regional countries to the Thai-Burma border to investigate human rights violations directly. They suggested that the USG could be involved in helping to facilitate and fund this effort. -- Encouraging the world's Buddhist community to support the Burmese peoples' struggle, suggested by William Kwan, the Buddhist representative from ICRP. ¶8. (C) ACTION REQUEST -- The activists engaged by Mission were all extremely disturbed by recent events in Burma. They clearly want to assist the international effort to isolate the regime and force it toward democracy. They believe that further unity can be built and leveraged region-wide among civil society groups concerned about Burma. Mission believes supporting civil society representatives to attend regional meetings where Burma will be discussed can be effective and would like to support such initiatives if there is funding available to do so. Mission requests Washington assistance in finding ways to support such efforts. END ACTION REQUEST. HEFFERN