Set all political prisoners free!
To President B.J. Habibie: Former president Soeharto appointed you to replace him when the state's political situation was very difficult and critical. Therefore, we can imagine how difficult is the burden that you are shouldering today, especially with the political crisis dragging on, the economic crisis worsening, the legal crisis remaining uncertain, and the continued crisis of confidence on the part of the people and the international community.
Unfortunately, your first step in electing ministers as your assistants has indeed become another problem because the people find the capacity and credibility of some ministers questionable. It seems that you did not quite, or could not, take into account the demand for total reform, which is a popular demand voiced by university students.
Your decision to set free political prisoners is quite pleasing. However, the realization of this decision and the official statements made afterward have become a big question mark to us. If indeed the decision has been made for the sake of the image of the "Order of Reform" in enforcing the law and upholding justice and humanity, why haven't all political prisoners been set free? Why must there be exceptions? Our notes are as follows:
1. If the amnesty granted to Sri Bintang Pamungkas and Muchtar Pakpahan on May 26, 1998 is intended to draw the sympathy of the international community, particularly with respect to creditors, because these two figures are considered to have a high value, then it is certainly a mistake. The international community, including business circles, is not stupid. Just like Indonesian people themselves, the international community no longer tolerates cheating. All wish to see the proof of sincerity in political will and firmness in political action in setting free all political prisoners, the victims of the Soeharto regime.
2. The amnesty for Nuku Sulaiman and Andi Syahputra and the leniency shown toward Karlina Leksono, Gadis Arivia and Wilasih Noviana on May 28, 1998 are nothing more than part of a play devoid of humor. Why? Andi and Nuku would have soon completed their entire jail terms, while Karlina, Gadis Arivia and Wilasih, detained three days for a demonstration against milk prices which they held at the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle in February 1998, were fined Rp 2,250 by the Central Jakarta District Court in March.
3. The exceptions, particularly with respect to political prisoners allegedly related to the aborted communist coup in 1965, show that the decision was only halfheartedly made.
Concerning this last category, we see the presence of excessive and improper political vengeance and the absence of justice and humanity in the conscience of this country's rulers. Why not release them, they all have served over 30 years in prison! They are all over 70 years old and are in poor health.
Having put down the above notes, we, who provide services to prisoners, would like to call on you to demonstrate sincere political will, justice and humanity in settling the problem of political prisoners. Set free all, i.e. without exception, political detainees/convicts. Restore their self-respect as Indonesians.
As people of faith, we believe that all religions teach loving kindness and repentance. Let us prove that the Indonesian people are a highly cultured nation with a noble sense of humanity.
GUSTAF DUPE
Executive Secretary
Working Group for Service to Prisoners
Jakarta