Joanna Balzano of the USA joined the team on November 21st, bringing us up to four volunteers again for the first time since April. Kevin Ellis, the project co-ordinator, flew out from England for a visit in early November. Unfortunately the visit coincided with Aidan's short spell in hospital following a traffic accident in Batticaloa. We still managed to get our work done. There were somewhat fewer escorts than in the period covered by the last report. The team again provided a presence at the ongoing court case in which two police officers are being charged with the rape and murder of a young woman. PBI's client is a brother of the dead woman. The Ministry of Labour was picketed again- this time the protest was much larger and more vocal. It was organised by the workers of a food processing factory, who were laid off approx. eighteen months ago after asking for a pay rise. The team again provided a presence. On November 12 the team accompanied a group of protesters outside the Indonesian embassy, protesting at the situation in East Timor on the anniversary of the massacre at Dili. At last year's protest the police prevented the group from reaching the street on which the embassy lies. Although the police were present this year there was no attempt to stop the protestors from reaching the embassy. In the last fortnight of November the team visited Trincomalee town and district to renew our ongoing contacts and report on the human rights situation there.
The above text may freely be reproduced, copied, or translated,
in whole or in part, as long as the source is stated as:
Peace Brigades International.
formatted by pgordon@gn.apc.org