House approves release of 90 political prisoners

JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives (DPR) endorsed President Abdurrahman Wahid's plan to release a total of 90 political prisoners, and urged the President to free those remaining in prison.

Most House factions in a plenary session presided by House Deputy Speaker Soetardjo Soerjogoeritno hailed the President's goodwill, which was in line with his commitment to promote human rights and national reconciliation.

Imam Mawardi, spokesman for the National Awakening Party (PKB) faction, said the 90 political prisoners deserved amnesty because they were victims of the repressive government of former president Soeharto.

"It is now the time for all groups to support national reconciliation, which could serve as the new starting point to developing the country and the nation," he said in the plenary session.

Abdurrahman, popularly known as Gus Dur, sought the House's approval for the release of the 90 political prisoners who were involved in subversion cases in Aceh, Lampung, Jakarta and East Timor.

Among the political prisoners are the chairman of the Democratic People's Party (PRD) Budiman Sudjatmiko and his colleagues Suroso, Ignatius Damianus Pranowo and Bartholomeus Garda Sembiring; Mochamad Achwan, who was involved in a separatist rebel movement in Lampung; and East Timor's Fransisco Soares, Fransisco Da Silva, Mariano da Costa and Joao da Cuncha.

Julius Usman, spokesman for the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) faction, questioned the fate of the remaining 26 political prisoners from Aceh and seven more PRD activists.

"Why did the President list only 15 political prisoners from Aceh while more people are left waiting?" Usman asked. "Our faction has listed seven more PRD activists who deserve amnesty."

He said the government should record all political prisoners and process their release for the sake of national reconciliation.

Amien Aryoso, chairman of the House's Commission II who was appointed to deliberate the President's proposal, also said the President should grant clemency to all political prisoners.

"Besides their age, most of the remaining political prisoners deserve freedom since they have never been tried, or proven guilty of violating the law," he said.

He called on the House to throw its weight behind the President's intention to set free all political prisoners regardless of their circumstances.

"The House should give its approval to the President's good will to free all political prisoners, and urge the President to propose the release of the remaining ones who are still detained in numerous penitentiaries across the country," he said.

Soenarto, who represents the Indonesian Military/National Police faction, called on the President to be selective in granting clemency.

"The President should release only political prisoners who were victims of human rights abuses committed by political leaders in the past," he said. (rms)