Parliamentary question - E-2769/2010Parliamentary question
E-2769/2010

Commission action with regard to mob violence in Surabaya, Indonesia

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2769/10
by Michael Cashman (S&D) , Ulrike Lunacek (Verts/ALE) , Raül Romeva i Rueda (Verts/ALE) , Sirpa Pietikäinen (PPE) and Marije Cornelissen (Verts/ALE)
to the Commission

The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) planned to hold its fourth Asia regional conference in Surabaya, Indonesia, from 26 to 28 March 2010.

One hundred and fifty international, national and local conference participants from 12 different Asian countries were unable to take part in the event, as organised mobs — composed mostly of violent activists from religious organisations — disturbed the organisation of the event at the hotel in which it was held. Participants were subjected to intimidation and, on at least two occasions, violence; the conference had to be cancelled.

Indonesian police forces watched the action unfold but appeared unable and unwilling to stop the violent mob. Not only did they fail to lend help to conference participants, they also failed to protect their freedom of speech and assembly, and appeared to make very scarce efforts to stop fundamentalists from intimidating conference participants and hotel staff.

OJ C 138 E, 07/05/2011