German activist pleads for Budiman's release

JAKARTA (JP): Germany's Human Rights Commissioner Gerd Poppe urged President B.J. Habibie on Wednesday to release five political prisoners, including Budiman Sudjatmiko of the Democratic People's Party (PRD), a minister said.

Poppe also proposed the President release elderly former communist prisoners, citing humanitarian reasons, according to Minister/State Secretary Akbar Tandjung who accompanied Habibie to the meeting.

"Poppe submitted five names, including Budiman Sudjatmiko's, for release. We will coordinate (the proposal) with the Ministry of Justice," Akbar said.

Budiman was sentenced in 1997 to 13 years in jail for subversion.

The PRD was outlawed under Soeharto's regime. The organization, however, has recently registered itself as a new political party and plans to contest the general election.

"The President promised to check," Poppe said separately about his proposal.

Poppe refused to disclose the names and number of long-term prisoners he suggested be released. He declined to comment on the inclusion of jailed female labor activist Dita Indah Sari.

"We think it is better not to release the names," Poppe said.

Habibie promised to release Dita last December. However, she is still serving a six year sentence for subversive activities at Tangerang prison.

Concerning Dita's release, Akbar said "I think she has been released too".

As of last December, Habibie had released 109 of the country's 232 political prisoners and detainees.

The government previously said that those convicted of criminal offenses, of involvement with the banned Indonesian Communist Party, or of attempting to replace the state ideology Pancasila, would not be released.

Nevertheless, Habibie said he would consider, on humanitarian grounds, the release of some aging prisoners incarcerated for their involvement with the failed 1965 coup which was blamed on the Indonesian Communist Party.

Most of these prisoners are over 70 years old, or have served sentences of more than 30 years. The government has not released data on these incarcerations. However, at least two prisoners in Cipinang prison in East Jakarta were involved in the coup, namely former Col. Abdul Latief and former chief sergeant Bungkus.

Latief, asserting his innocence last year, said he was victimized by Soeharto for knowing too much about the former president.

"Their release must be carefully considered," Akbar said. (prb)