We are not talking about appeals courts yet. So God willing opportunities are still available to defend Sumiati at appeals courts
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian government will continue to fight for justice for Sumiati, a female Indonesian migrant worker tortured by her Saudi employers, despite recent court ruling in favour of the employers.

Presidential spokesman Julian Aldrin Pasha said to newsmen here on Monday that the Indonesian consulate general in Jeddah had submitted an appeal to the ruling.

"Sumiati`s employers have been relieved from paying a fine because according to the judge no proof is found of new wounds from tortures. The court proceedings will be continued to deal with the sentencing on the crime involved. The Indonesian consulate general in Jeddah would appeal the court`s decision," he said quoting reports from the Indonesian ambassador in Saudi Arabia, Gatot Mansyur, to the President.

He said if the court`s ruling on the criminal aspect of the incident was disappointing the government would also appeal it.

"We are not talking about appeals courts yet. So God willing opportunities are still available to defend Sumiati at appeals courts," he said.

The public had been shocked upon knowing on November 8, 2010 Sumiati (23) being taken to a hospital with wounds found all over her body allegedly caused by tortures from her employer`s wife, Khaled Salem M al-Khamimisering.

Even President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono had been moved by the case and before a cabinet meeting on November 16, 2010 had called for a serious handling of the case to assure that the law is enforced and had ordered Minister for Empowerment and Protection of Women Linda Amalia Sari Agum Gumelar and a special team to go to Saudi Arabia for her protection and legal defense.

Sumiati`s employer`s wife in the district court session last January was sentenced to three years in jail but the appeals court on Tuesday (March 15) issued a ruling to order a review of the session.

It its ruling the court on Saturday (April 2) released the employer`s wife stating that no proof was found showing she had tortured Sumiati.

The employer`s wife denied having tortured Sumiati and said that it was Sumiati herself that had hurt herself.(*)

Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
Copyright © ANTARA 2011