The Ministry of Foreign Affaire conveyed its dismay today to the Indonesian Embassy for the decision to expel journalist Raimondo Bultrini and Greenpeace activist Chiara Campione from Indonesia. The Italian government promptly requested a clear explanation of the affair, underscoring through its embassy in Jakarta the lack of precise charges against the two Italian nationals to date, and urging local authorities’ full respect for international human rights conventions.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also took this opportunity to point out Italy’s special sensitivity toward environmental issues, and particularly that of deforestation, a sensitivity that was foregrounded by the Italian G8 presidency. Our authorities also pointed out how this affair took place as the FAO food security summit was being held—in which the Indonesian Vice President also participated—and which was and is a solemn occasion on which to stress the importance and necessity of a global commitment to the defence of environmental resources.