Media Release: INDONESIAN GOV’T URGED TO ACT AFTER TRANS WOMAN BURNED ALIVE

Media Release

Thursday April 9th 2020

INDONESIAN GOV’T URGED TO ACT AFTER TRANS WOMAN BURNED ALIVE
AUSTRALIANS URGED TO WRITE TO INDON EMBASSY IN SUPPORT OF THOROUGH POLICE INVESTIGATION AND ACTION AGAINST HATE CRIME

Equality advocates have urged Australians to write to the Indonesian authorities asking for a full police investigation into the horrific death of transgender woman, Mira, in North Jakarta on April 4th.

Mira was burned alive by a mob of men and later died of her wounds in hospital.

Australian Transgender Support Organisation Queensland (ATSOQ), together with national advocacy group, Just.Equal, have written to the Indonesian President and Ambassador asking for a full investigation, action against LGBTIQ hate crime and respect of LGBTIQ human rights.

Secretary of ATSOQ, Krissy Johnson, said,

"We stand in solidarity with transgender people across Indonesia at what must be a time of great sorrow and fear.”

“We urge Australians who support human rights to write to the Indonesian authorities and ask for a thorough investigation of this horrific crime and tougher action against all anti-LGBTIQ hate crime."

Just.Equal spokesperson, Rodney Croome said,

“At a time of crisis like the Covid-19 pandemic, governments have a duty to ensure fear and uncertainty do not trigger hatred and violence against traditionally-stigmatised minorities.”

“Indonesia is one of the world’s largest democracies and its leadership against hate crime will echo around the world.”

A copy of the letter is included below,
For a copy of this statement on the web, click here
For more information contact Krissy Johnson on 07 3843 5024 or Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668.

***

Kristine Johnson, Secretary

Gina Mather, President

Australian Transgender Support Organisation (Queensland)

krissyjohnson@atsaq.org.au, ginamather@atsaq.org.au
07 3843 5024

Rodney Croome

Spokesperson, Just.Equal

rodney.croome@equal.org.au

0409 010 668

Hon Joko Widodo
President Republic of Indonesia

H.E. Yohanes Kristiarto Soeryo Legowo

Indonesian Ambassador to Australia
indoemb@kbri-canberra.org.au
konsuler.canberra@kemlu.go.id
Ph +61 02 6250 8600

Re: Measures in response to death of transgender woman, Mira

Dear President Widodo and Ambassador Legowo,

Like many people across Indonesia and around the world, we were appalled to learn that a transgender woman, Mira, was burned alive near her home in North Jakarta, on April 4th.

We welcomed President Widodo’s commitment to human rights during his address to the Australian Parliament on February 10th. We now ask that the Indonesian Government ensures these principles are extended to LGBTIQ Indonesians.

This includes the following measures:

· Ensure Mira's death is subject to a thorough police investigation and the perpetrators brought to justice.

· Make it clear that human rights and the rule of law apply equally to all Indonesians, regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation or any other distinction.

· Take action against hate crimes on the basis of gender identity, sexual orientation and other grounds

· Work with human rights, civil society and LGBTIQ groups to foster the tolerance, and value the diversity, Indonesia has traditionally been renowned for.

This matters now more than ever. At times of crisis, like the Covid-19 pandemic, fear and uncertainty can trigger hatred and violence against stigmatised minorities. Surely all governments have a duty to show that human rights and the rule of law continue to prevail.

Indonesia is one of the world's largest democracies. It has the capacity to exercise significant influence around the globe in regard to the promotion of democratic values. We urge the Indonesian Government to ensure that the promise of democracy - legal equality, individual freedom and personal safety - is shared by all Indonesians, including LGBTIQ Indonesians.

Best wishes,

Kristine Johnson

Gina Mather

Rodney Croome