---------------------------------------------------------- FREE for JOIN Indonesia Daily News Online via EMAIL: go to: http://www.indo-news.com/subscribe.html - FREE - FREE - FREE - FREE - FREE - FREE - Dengan mengClick banner sponsor anda menyumbang Rp. 1000,- untuk HomePage IndoNews. ---------------------------------------------------------- Jakarta Post, March 13, 1999 GERMAN ACTIVIST PLEADS FOR BUDIMAN'S RELEASE JAKARTA (JP): Germany's Human Rights Commisioner Gerd Poppe urged president BJ Habibie on Wednesday to release five political prisoners, including Budiman Sudjatmiko of the Democratic People's Party (PRD), a minister said. Poppe also proposed the President release elderly former communist prisoners, citing humanitarian reasons, according to Minister/State Secretary Akbar Tandjung who accompanied Habibie to the meeting. "Poppe submited five names, including Budiman Sudjatmiko for release. We will coordinate (the proposal) with ministry of Justice, " Akbar said. Budiman was sentenced in 1997 to 13 years in jail for subversion. The PRD was outlowed under Soeharto's regime. The organization, however, has recently registered itself as new political party and plans to contest the general election. "The President promised to check, " Poppe said sparately about his proposal. Poppe refused to disclose the names and number of long-term prisoners he suggested be released. He declined to comment on the inclution of jailed female labor actvist Dita Indah Sari. "We think it is better not to release the names, " Poppe said. Habibie promised to release Dita last December. However, she is still serving a six year sentence for subversive activities at Tengerang prison. Concerning Dita's release, Akbar said " I think she has been released too". As of last December, Habibie had released 109 of the country's 232 political prisoners and deteinees. The goverment previously said that those convicted of criminal offenses, of involvement with the banned Indonesian Communist Party, or of attempting to replace the state ideology Pancasila, would not be released. Nevertheless, Habibie said he would consider, on humanitarian grounds, the release of some aging prisoners incarcereted for their involvement with the failed 1965 coup which was blamed on the Indonesian Communist Party. Most of these prisoners are over 70 years old, or have served sentenced of more than 30 years. The government has not released data on these incarcerations. However, at laest two prioners in Cipinang prison in East Jakarta were involved in coup, namely Col. Abdul Latief and former chief sergant Bungkus. Latief, asserting his innocent last year, said he was victimized by Soeharto for knowing too much about the former president. "Their release must be carefully considered. " Akbar said. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Didistribusikan tgl. 5 Mar 1999 jam 10:45:55 GMT+1 oleh: Indonesia Daily News Online <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> http://www.Indo-News.com/ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
