B4-0997, 1011, 1031, 1041, 1048 and 1075/96

Resolution on the human rights situation in Indonesia

The European Parliament

- having regard to its previous resolutions on Indonesia,

A. whereas the Indonesian authorities have launched a crackdown against peaceful campaigners of the pro-democracy movement, resulting in a wave of arrests and police interrogations of active members of this movement, which has created a situation of fear forcing many hundreds of pro-democracy activists into hiding,

B. deeply concerned at the violent seizure of the headquarters of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) by military and paramilitary forces on 27 July 1996,

C. having regard to the preliminary report of the Indonesian National Commission of Human Rights on the events of 27 July 1996 which refers to 5 deaths, 149 wounded and 74 missing persons,

D. whereas further restrictions on the freedom of expression are occurring, in particular the curbing of the press and the maltreatment of journalists trying to cover the events of 27 July; whereas the Government continues to deny the rights of freedom of speech and assembly,

E. noting that the Government of Indonesia has not yet ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights or the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment,

1. Condemns the seizure of the PDI building by military and para-military forces and the casualties inflicted on 27 July 1996 and the subsequent wave of arrests of members of the pro-democracy movement;

2. Reaffirms its solidarity with the aims and goals of the Indonesian pro- democracy movement in the struggle for a just, democatic and pluralist society;

3. Calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all those who have been arrested for the peaceful expression of their political aspirations, notably Mucktar Pakpathan, leader of the SBSI Workers' Union, and the release of all political prisoners, including those from East Timor and Irian Jaya;

4. Calls on the Indonesian authorities to halt the legal proceedings against Mrs Megawati Sukarnoputri, president of the Indonesian Democratic Party;

5. Requests that the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions be asked to undertake an investigation into the events of 27 July 1996 and the whereabouts of people still missing;

6. Appeals for restrictions on the freedom of expression and for the ill- treatment of journalists who reported on the events of 27 July to be ended forthwith;

7. Reiterates its demand for the Member States of the European Union to withhold all military assistance and all arms sales to Indonesia;

8. Calls on the Commission to keep the establishment of trade relations with ASEAN subject to respect for human rights and to adhere to the position that these two matters cannot be discussed separately;

9. Urges the Indonesian authorities to stop violating the rights of peaceful critics and activists and to guarantee to all individuals, including independent journalists, their rights to freedom of speech and association, as expressed in the Universal Declaration on Human Rights;

10. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Government of Indonesia, the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.