CASE N° IDS/11 - MEGAWATI SUKARNOPUTRI - INDONESIA

Resolution adopted without a vote by the Inter-Parliamentary Council
at its 163rd session (Moscow, 12 September 1998)

The Inter-Parliamentary Council,

Referring to the outline of the case, as contained in the report of the Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians (CL/163/12(a)-R.1), and to the resolution adopted at its 162nd session (April 1998) concerning the case of Ms. Megawati Sukarnoputri, of Indonesia,

Considering the information supplied by the Secretary General of the House of Representatives of Indonesia on 1 June and 14 August 1998, respectively regarding developments in the country and the situation of Ms. Megawati Sukarnoputri,

Recalling that Ms. Megawati Sukarnoputri was unseated in June 1996 as leader of the Indonesian Democratic Party, for which she has taken suit against the Indonesian Government accusing it of having engineered her ouster which led to demonstrations in July 1996 violently put down by the authorities; that following her refusal to recognise the new leadership of the PDI and owing to the existing law and interpretation of the Constitution, she was unable to stand as a candidate in the legislative elections of May 1997; that she has been questioned several times as a witness in connection with the riots of July 1996 and with an allegedly illegal party meeting at her home; that, in view of the fundamental issues regarding freedom of speech and freedom of association and assembly raised in this case, it had entrusted the Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians with an on-site mission; considering that the Indonesian authorities notified their readiness to receive such a mission,

Considering that all police investigations against Ms. Megawati Sukarnoputri have been dropped and that, as stated by the authorities, " she is now active in exercising her political activities under the new era of the Indonesian political system ",

Bearing in mind that the Government of Mr. Habibie has pledged to promote and protect human rights, including freedom of expression and association; that it has engaged in a process of reviewing national laws and regulations that run counter to the spirit of reform, including the laws and regulations on political parties and the Anti-Subversion Act; that, on 25 June 1998, the President officially launched a " Plan of Action on Human Rights " providing for ratification in the next few years of the major human rights treaties,

1. Welcomes the recent significant developments in Indonesia, which it hopes will be confirmed by the institution of a legal framework guaranteeing freedom of expression and the full exercise of civil and political rights in the country;
2. Is further gratified that Ms. Megawati Sukarnoputri is no longer subject to any judicial proceedings and may now freely pursue her political activities;
3. Notes with satisfaction that the Indonesian authorities have expressed their willingness to receive the mission it had requested, and thanks them for the spirit of co-operation thus displayed; considers, however, that there is no longer any need for such a mission;
4. Decides to close the file.

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