Political prisoners' rights

Political prisoners' rights

From Sinar Pagi

Thank God, all political prisoners have been given amnesty and released from prison. The House of People's Representatives (DPR) and the President have even agreed that the names of all those imprisoned under the New Order regime for attempting to criticize and correct it must be restored.

As a former political prisoner sentenced to 12 years imprisonment (1978 to 1981 and 1984 to 1993) I, a former employee at a state bank, have, with the help of law expert Hartono Mardjono, prepared an application for my "name restoration" to the President via the minister of law and legislation.

Although the prospect of my "restoration" makes me happy because it means that my civil rights will be returned, at the same time I feel concerned about the plight of most of my fellow political prisoners, the majority of whom are generally not former civil servants.

We must realize that in essence a "restoration certificate", despite being signed by the President, is hardly of any use in rescuing these people from their plight. Things will get worse now, especially because the ministry of social affairs has been disbanded and only a few institutions are concerned over the socioeconomic fate of former political prisoners. We seem to have forgotten their sacrifices, their plight and their prayers, all endured from behind bars. These sacrifices and prayers helped bring about the reform drive and the process of democratization now going on in Indonesia.

Considering the economic trouble experienced by the lower class (and most former political prisoners are from this social class), I was very disappointed to hear the criticism launched against Hendropriyono, who is considered to have "silenced" the victims in the Lampung case, because Hendropriyono has in fact shown care for economically troubled former political prisoners.

To me, all the attention and assistance given to these people is praiseworthy regardless of where it comes from. Other parties must take what Hendropriyono has done as their example. And this must in fact be discussed at a national level. The real meaning of "restoration" is that these people will be socially and economically empowered, just like Hendropriyono attempted to do. Therefore, this positive attempt must be encouraged and not sneered at.

The struggle to uphold justice with the truth must continue. The actions being taken to investigate the Lampung case, coupled with accurate facts (not manipulated ones) for the benefit of the nation (not in order to cause Muslim disintegration) and for the sake of upholding justice and truth in this country are highly praiseworthy and blessed by God.

RACHMAT BASOEKI SOEROPRANOTO

Jakarta