B4-0252, 0264, 0268, 0306 and 0307/99

Resolution on the human rights situation in Indonesia, the Moluccan Islands and East Timor

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on the situation in Indonesia,

A. whereas on 7 June 1999 elections are due to take place throughout Indonesia for the Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat, the Indonesian Parliament,

B. having regard to the violent incidents that have taken place on the Moluccan Archipelago, which have cost the lives of over 200 people and have destroyed the homes of several thousand families,

C. concerned about the Indonesian security forces' method of handling the riots, and the accusation made by both Christians and Muslims that the local police and armed forces favour the other side,

D. noting that more than 9 000 troops are at the moment based in the Moluccas and that local and regional authorities and police forces have done little to stop these violent incidents,

E. noting that people of different ethnic origins and religious beliefs have for many years lived peacefully together in this region,

F. aware that the present economic problems in Indonesia are causing serious poverty for large groups of the population and are increasing the internal instability of the country, and whereas thousands have fled from the isle of Ambon, causing a serious refugee problem,

1. Calls on the Government of Indonesia to put an end to the violent incidents on the Moluccan Archipelago, to restore the rule of law in this region and to promote the peaceful co-existence of people of different ethnic origins and religious beliefs;

2. Urges President Habibie to take measures without delay to implement his earlier promises to respect and protect human rights;

3. Condemns all use of violence and calls on the Indonesian authorities to ensure that non-violent methods of crowd control are used and that members of the Indonesian armed forces who commit human rights violations are brought to justice;

4. Urges the Indonesian Government not to engage in violence of any kind against the holding of peaceful demonstrations and to ensure that its promise regarding the organisation of free, democratic elections is fulfilled within the shortest possible time, with particular reference to the establishment of democracy in Indonesia, the holding of democratic elections, human rights, better living conditions for the people and the fight against corruption;

5. Calls once again on the Indonesian Government to take the necessary measures to reform its economic system while taking account of the needs of the greater part of its population and calls on the Commission and the Council to give their support to the Indonesian Government in carrying out these necessary economic reforms;

6. Urgently calls on the Commission and the Member States to provide humanitarian aid such as shelter, medicine and food;

7. Calls on the Indonesian authorities to step up their efforts to ensure that the upcoming elections are free and fair;

8. Calls on the Council and the Commission to support the establishment of democracy in Indonesia;

9. Calls for the people of East Timor to be given the opportunity to exercise their right to self-determination by means of a referendum under UN auspices;

10. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council, the Indonesian Government, the UN High Commission for Human Rights, the Secretary-General of the UN Committee for Decolonisation and the ASEAN.

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