There are a few simple rules:
Letter writing guide
1. Always be polite.
2. Always write your letters on the basis that the prison authorities will
read your letter. You don't want to write anything that will cause problems
for Schapelle.
3. Show respect for the country's constitution and judicial procedures, and
to demonstrate an understanding of current difficulties. This will give
more scope to point out ways in which the human rights situation can be
improved.
4. If you wish to write an appeal or sign onto a petition to help
Schapelle, be clear in what you are requesting. You should never make
'demands' on the Indonesian Government. Better to appeal for things that
will be helpful to Schapelle, for example: continued medical treatment,
consular access and transparency of the judicial process.
5. Never use political jargon. Don't give the impression that you are
writing because you are ideologically or politically opposed to the
government in question. It is far more effective to stress the fact that
your concern for human rights is not politically based in any way, but in
keeping with basic principles of international law.
6. If appropriate, please explain who you are and what you do. This
indicates that the letter is genuine, and also shows that people from
varying walks of life are following events in the country concerned.
7. If you have any special interest or link with the country, it is a good
idea to mention this in your letter. For instance, you may have visited it
or studied its history.
Sample letter A
Dear Prime Minister,
I write to appeal to you, on humanitarian grounds, to release Schapelle
Corby from Kerobokan prison and reunite her with her family in Australia. I
understand that the judicial body in Indonesia has convicted Schapelle
Corby of a criminal offence, but I fully support her claim of innocence. I
have every confidence that her appeal to the courts in Jakarta will be made
appropriately in accordance with, and respect to, the Indonesian Government.
I would like to ask that you look compassionately on Schapelle Corby and
show mercy as a show of goodwill between the peoples of our two countries.
Yours truly,
