By Jun Virola, AFA
Jakarta, Indonesia (10 September 2008) — Solidarity with each other’s struggle is a strong theme that binds farmers from different countries in Asia. While Korean farmers commemorate the 5th death anniversary of Lee Kyung Hae, Indonesian farmers also mark the occasion in their own way.
Aliansi Petani Indonesia (API) is holding a reflection-discussion session today, September 10, at the National Human Rights Commission, with the theme “Agrarian Reform as a Pre-Condition for Food Sovereignty”. Various stakeholders such as NGOs, POs, students, and political parties are joining the event, which is being held in commemoration of Lee Kyung Hae’s martyrdom.
Nur “Loji” Hady, project officer of API, joined the peasant organization only last year, but he has been active in the student movement in support of the peasant struggle.
“I have not met Lee Kyung Hae in person, but I have heard many things about him from discussions on many occasions,” says Loji. “We join him in the spirit of struggle, not only for his braveness, but also for his sacrifice,” he adds.
Living in an agrarian country with many fertile fields and hard working peasants, he asks why Indonesia must import rice, and why many people have to live in poverty.
Loji says that, “In a sense, we really fight not only for peasantS but for ourselves as a country, where many poor peasants suffer.”
“We appreciate Lee Kyung Hae’s sacrifice, which is also part of our struggle to free the peasants from the hell of globalization and free trade,” he adds.
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