More political prisoners to be freed

JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid has reportedly agreed to release all political prisoners from Irian Jaya and Aceh, and rehabilitate the rights of political detainees and prisoners.

The coordinator of the Committee for the Release of Political Prisoners, Gustaf Dupe, said after meeting the President here on Tuesday that Abdurrahman would grant amnesty to 38 Irian Jaya political prisoners and an unspecified number from Aceh.

Gustaf added that the civil rights of other political prisoners, including former members of the banned Indonesian Communist Party (PKI), would be restored.

Gustaf presented the list of Irianese prisoners, including the name of Eliezer Awom who received a life sentence for subversive activities as a Free Papua Movement (OPM) activist.

He is serving his sentence at Kalisosok Prison in Surabaya.

According to the list, 19 of the political activists are jailed in Biak, 10 in Wamena, six in Jayapura and two in Abepura.

"We still don't have the list of Acehnese political prisoners, we're trying to get the names from local non-governmental organizations, but we haven't been able to get it yet," Gustaf said.

Separately, Minister of Law and Legislation Yusril Ihza Mahendra disclosed in Biak, Irian Jaya, that the 38 activists would likely be freed before Christmas, while the Acehnese would be released before the post-fasting month holiday of Idul Fitri next month.

Yusril was in Biak on Tuesday accompanying Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri on her visit there.

The President is scheduled to spend New Year in Jayapura, Irian Jaya's capital.

Gustaf also urged Abdurrahman to abolish all discriminative regulations, especially Minister of Home Affairs' Decree No. 32/1982, which was often used to segregate former PKI members.

Among the requirements in the regulation is for changes of residence to be reported to the nearest military command.

"The regulation has jailed them for an unlimited time," said Gustaf.

In a related development, prosecutors in the Jayapura District Court demanded a one-year sentence for Mourits Wouw for hoisting the West Papua separatist flag.

Another four accused -- Mesak Waipon, Sadrak Wouw, Marthen Bay and Augustinus Waipon -- could face 10 months in jail for helping Mourits.

Prosecutor Syamsul Alam contended the five were guilty of opposing the lawful government of Indonesia by ignoring restrictions and deliberately hoisting the flag on Dec. 1. (prb)