Last year, (August 1991), I and seven other environmentalists
were arrested in Sydney, Australia on a charge of
'unreasonable obstruction' outside the Malaysian Consulate.
By participating in a peaceful demonstration outside the
embassy gates, we wanted to highlight the importance of the
Rainforest Protection Bill, a piece of legislation that if
passed would have stopped the importation of Malaysian
rainforest timber into Australia.
For anyone interested in this case, what follows is a brief
explanation of the case and an appeal for any current
information on the Penan people, any case studies where land
rights have been granted over timber trading rights, and
information on tropical timber trade in Malaysia.
On the 4th May 1992, the eight environmentalists were found
guilty of the charge of 'unreasonable obstruction' of the
Malaysian Consulate. Magistrate Godfrey deferred sentencing
until July 9th, 1992.
The Magistrate said that he was considering a custodial
sentence, but that a letter of apology from each of the
defendants to the Malaysian Consulate would be a factor in his
final decision. He said, "I have left the door ajar".
The defendants acted in accordance with their conscience and
are not likely to apologise to a country that they feel is
abusing the human rights of the native forest dwellers of
Malaysia. The circumstances of the Penan people have not
changed and the defendants are prepared to go to gaol for
their convictions.
Magistrate Godfrey stated that he was not concerned with the
issue of rainforest logging, the motive of the accused or with
the issue of freedom of expression. The position is, he
stressed, that those arrested at the protest had "offended the
dignity of a foreign mission". He further added, "I could not
imagine a worse case".
Democrat Member of the New South Wales Legislative Council,
the Hon. Richard Jones said:
" This was a peaceful demonstration attended by Senator John
Coulter, Federal Leader of the Australian Democrats, and
myself."
On the day of the final hearing, July 9th 1992, we aim to
focus Australian media attention on the Penan issue.
We would really appreciate any information about the current
situation in Sarawak.
Specifically, we would like to know how many people,if any,
are currently being held in custody without trial in Malaysia.
We are also preparing an information kit for journalists to
highlight the importance of recognising the land rights of the
Penan. The kit will draw parallels with a recent Canadian
decision to resolve land rights over and above timber traders.
Please send any information that you consider could be of
value to the Australian Conservation Foundation's Sydney
Office.
Address: Susan Braun,
Australian Conservation Foundation,
Level 1, 88 George Street
SYDNEY, NSW 2000
AUSTRALIA
PH. 011 61 2 550 2805
011 61 2 247 4285
FX 011 61 2 247 1206
E.Mail/ Pegasus: ACFSYD.
OR:
The Hon. Richard Jones MLC
Parliament House, NSW
AUSTRALIA 2000
PH. 011 61 2 230 2858
FX 011 61 2 230 2871
Thank you,
Yours sincerely,
Susan Braun, on behalf of all the defendants.