CASE N° IDS/12 - ABERSON SIHALOHO - 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 Mr. Aberson Sihaloho, 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 Mr. Aberson Sihaloho,

Recalling that Mr. Sihaloho, a member of the Indonesian Parliament and of the Indonesian Democratic Party, was sentenced on 21 July 1997 to nine months' imprisonment after making remarks critical of the Indonesian political regime; that Mr. Sihaloho, who remained free, lodged an appeal against the judgment; that, in view of the important issue of freedom of speech raised by 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 he was granted an amnesty on 23 July 1998 giving him a clean slate and that, as stated by the authorities, " he is now active in exercising his 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 Mr. Sihaloho was granted an amnesty and may now freely pursue his 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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