B4-0624, 0635, 0662 and 0668/98

Resolution on the human rights situation in East Timor and Indonesia

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on East Timor and Indonesia,

- having regard to the UN resolutions on East Timor,

A. whereas, despite a number of international appeals, the political situation in East Timor has not altered in the slightest,

B. whereas the fall of the dictator Suharto has created new expectations concerning moves towards democracy and respect for human rights in Indonesia and its annexed or occupied territories,

C. having regard to the recent statements by the new President Habibe concerning a special status for East Timor, which could include recognition of the territory's specific religious and cultural characteristics, even if the right to self-determination of the people of East Timor is still denied,

D. whereas the recent release of some political prisoners remains very selective,

E. having regard to the urgent need, which it has endorsed on a number of occasions, for serious and constructive negotiations to be initiated between the parties concerned so as to definitively resolve the political problem of East Timor,

F. whereas the EU Member States, via the IMF, are responsible for the biggest contribution in terms of financial aid to the resolution of the economic crisis in Indonesia,

1. Notes the recent moves to greater political openness in Indonesia resulting both from internal pressure and the resistance of the Timorese people and from diplomatic action by the international community, in particular the EU and Portugal, the administrative power; regrets the very limited nature of those moves, and, above all, the failure to release the majority of the political prisoners;

2. Calls on the Indonesian authorities to proceed to the immediate and unconditional release of Xanana Gusmão and all the other political prisoners, whether or not they are of Timorese origin, and under no circumstances to treat them as common criminals;

3. Calls on the Indonesian authorities to pursue democratic reforms in as rapid and consolidated fashion as possible, to set a date for free and democratic elections without delay and to satisfy the demands underlying the mass protests which led to the present situation, especially as regards improving the people's living conditions and fighting corruption;

4. Calls on the Indonesian Government to refrain from violence of any kind against peaceful demonstrations;

5. Calls, in the context of the changes underway in Indonesia, for firm and determined action for a peaceful solution to the East Timor problem and for self-determination for the people of the territory, on the basis of respect for international law and the UN resolutions;

6. Calls on the Indonesian government to carry out a full investigation into all cases of human rights abuses, and to take judicial action against their perpetrators;

7. Reiterates the position expressed in its resolution of 21 November 1991 on the massacre in East Timor ((OJ C 326, 16.12.1991, p. 182.)), namely that a delegation should be sent to East Timor; insists that the Indonesian Government must, once and for all, take steps to enable the delegation's visit to take place;

8. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the parliaments of the Member States, the Government of Indonesia, the UN Secretary-General, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Nobel Peace Prize winners Ramos Horta and Ximenes Belo, and the leader of the Timorese resistance, Xanana Gusmão.

10