House approves release of 90 political prisoners

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)