Immigration insists Greenpeace director's rejection justifiable

The immigration directorate general at the Law and Human Rights Ministry claims to have solid grounds for its recent rejection of allowing Greenpeace executive director John Bernard Sauven to enter the country.

“It is part of a country's sovereignty rights whether to accept or reject a foreigner from entering the country. We were just following orders,” Immigration spokesman Maryoto said on Friday, as quoted by tempointeraktif.com.

When asked about the specific reason behind the rejection, Maryoto refused to provide an answer, citing the details were confidential. But he then added that, in most cases, people who were prevented entry, were considered a threat to the country.

Sauven had earlier intended to attend a seminar in Jakarta. Greenpeace is currently at odds with several large pulp producers and mining companies following its widespread campaign on deforestation.