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