[KONGRES II IKOHI] Solidarity Message from HoM, Netherlands

SOLIDARITY MESSAGE
For the occasion of the 2nd congress of the
Indonesian Association of Families of Disappeared (IKOHI)


Through this message the people working for the Humanist Committee on Human Rights (HOM) and its project Linking Solidarity would like to show their solidarity with our friends from the Indonesian Association of Families of Disappeared and the organisation of the 2nd congress on March 7-10, 2006. We also want to express our feelings of sympathy with all the victims of disappearances in Indonesia.

Linking Solidarity has worked with IKOHI for quite some years. We have witnessed the indispensable work IKOHI carries out to support the victims of disappearnces and their struggle for better protection on the national and international level. We hope that IKOHI will continue to grow and establish new links and ties of solidarity with victims of disappearances in other parts of Asia and around the world.

The strength and willpower of the people working for IKOHI was tested severely with the sad loss of Munir and the serious treats to the lives of some of you. In spite of all this, IKOHI continuous to organise successful activities, that prove that the struggle for truth and justice has persevered and will continue. It however also reflects the sad reality of the difficulties and danger faced by all those who denounce that disappearances are a persistent phenomenon.

As a theme for your 2nd Congress you have chosen ‘Developing and Strengthening Organisations of Victims of Human Rights Violations to Fight for Justice and Truth and Combating Impunity’. We fully support the choice of this theme as we think that a successful struggle for truth and justice in a country depends for a large part on an active movement of strong human rights organisations and dedicated activists.

HOM and Linking Solidarity have great admiration for all those at IKOHI who have been refusing to surrender and just accept that the fate of the disappeared will not be revealed and the author of the violation will remain unpunished. Your commitment and tenacity are an inspiration to many other families in many parts of the world.

We hope that you will have a peaceful congress that offers strength and healing.


Utrecht February 28th, 2005
Dave Hardy and Ewoud Plate
HOM/Linking Solidarity
The Netherlands