AFA supports API and other peasant groups in Indonesia in their struggle to uphold farmers’ rights.
Kediri, East Java, Indonesia, July 24, 2010 – As many as 50 farmers who are members of Farmers’ Solidarity Sovereignty (Solidaritas Kedaulatan Petani or SKP), held a demonstration in front of Prison Class II-A of Kediri (Lapas Kelas II A Kediri, Sabtu) in East Java, Indonesia. The peasants feel victimized by the law, which they say only serves the interests of seed companies mainly owned by foreign investors.
They, therefore, urged the government to revise Law No.12/1992 on the Plant Cultivation System (Sistem Budidaya Tanaman or SBT).
Law No. 12 of 1992 on Plant Cultivation System (SBT Act). They said that the law protects the interests of capitalist investors while criminalizing farmers. They cited the case of Mr. Kuncoro, a farmer from Toyorosemi village, at Ngasem subdistrict, Kediri district, East Java province.
After being accused of producing corn seeds illegally, he was finally sentenced to seven months in jail in a trial held last May 31, 2010. “Mr. Kuncoro is a victim of the SBT Act,” said Naning Yunaidah Suprawati, action coordinator (and also advocacy staff of Aliansi Petani Indonesia or API in East Java.)
After serving his sentence, Mr. Kuncoro was released from Prison Class II-A of Kediri. During the trial, he was accused of producing and distributing seeds, which PT Bisi International claims it owns. Surprisingly, PT Bisi did not disclose the number of damages.
The group that rallied was composed of Kediri Bersama Rakyat (Kibar), Kelompok Kajian dan Pengembangan Masyarakat (KKPM), Aliansi Petani Indonesia (API) Jatim, and Bina Tani Makmur (BTM)
When the decision of the alleged forgery case of seed corn, Kuncoro, who joined in the welcome demo Top Farmer Seed Sovereignty Movement (GKAPB). Mass action in the District Court (PN) and in Kediri District Council Local Parwakilan Rayat (DPRD).
Legal Counsel for the defendant, Zaenal Fanani Aminatus Sholikhah SH, and the verdict still thinking about it. When asked this demand is lighter than the previous claim, said Fanani, his client should be free. The reason, as long as it has never conducted a laboratory test if the seed is sold counterfeit or not.
Protests to the board and was met Parliament Commission B, in the hope to fight for the aspirations of farmers to revise the Law Number 12 the Year 1992 on Plant Cultivation System. So the pro-farmer. (Source: Surabaya Post, July 25, 2010. Translated from Indonesian. Click here for the original story.)
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