Sample Open Letter to President of Indonesia

[insert date] 2006

RE: Appeal by [insert your name] for Australian Schapelle Corby detained in Kerobokan Prison, Bali.

H.E. President Dr Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono President of Indonesia

Your Excellency,

    I write to you with the greatest respect as a concerned citizen of ____________.

    I respectfully appeal to you for mercy in the case involving Miss Schapelle Leigh Corby, a 28 year old Australian who was arrested on October 8, 2004 for allegedly transporting 4.1 kg of marijuana from Australia to Bali, Indonesia. Customs officials at the Denpassar airport discovered the marijuana in her boogie board bag.

    Schapelle Corby was sentenced 20 years imprisonment on May 27th 2005 in the Denpassar district court.

    The Corby Case, as it is now known throughout the region, has had detrimental effects for Miss Schapelle Corby and her family. As you may be aware, her father Michael Corby, is terminally ill and is holding on to life simply in the hope of seeing his daughter regain her freedom. The Corby Case has also impacted on Bali and its economy, since many Australians [insert country] are now concerned about travelling through Denpassar airport. Bali, as you know, has been a popular tourist destination for Australians [insert: international travellers] for a very long time. Since Schapelle Corby's arrest, I and many of my fellow Australians [insert country] are opting to travel elsewhere.

    Schapelle Corby is loved by many people and up until her arrest in Bali, had no prior criminal convictions or dealings with any law enforcement agencies. Schapelle Corby is a kind and compassionate woman, a loving sister, a loyal friend and faithful daughter. Schapelle Corby has great respect and compassion for the people of Bali and is equally distressed to hear of their suffering.

    I respectfully appeal to you on humanitarian grounds in that you might show some measure of mercy to reunite this family, in consideration to the compassion that Indonesians are so notable for, and in the interests of the long standing relations that our two countries have enjoyed over many years.

    'Terima kasi'

    Yours truly,
    Insert name
    [address]
    CC:

    Minister of Foreign Affairs
    H.E. Dr Hassan Wirajuda

    Indonesian Attorney General
    The Hon.Abdul Rahnam Saleh

    Indonesian Justice Minister
    Hamid Awaludin, PhD

    Supreme Court Chief Justice
    The Honorable Bagir Manan
    Supreme Court of Indonesia