German activist pleads for Budiman's release

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)