MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Indonesia, notably the cases of Hosea Yeimo, Ismael Alua and the Governor of Jakarta

17.1.2017 - (2017/2506(RSP))

with request for inclusion in the agenda for a debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law
pursuant to Rule 135 of the Rules of Procedure

Ignazio Corrao, Fabio Massimo Castaldo, Isabella Adinolfi on behalf of the EFDD Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B8-0072/2017

B8‑0079/2017

European Parliament resolution on Indonesia, notably the cases of Hosea Yeimo, Ismael Alua and the Governor of Jakarta

(2017/2506(RSP))

The European Parliament,

–   having regard to its previous resolutions on Indonesia, and especially on the situation of human rights in the country,

 

–   having regard to the annual EU – Indonesia Human Rights Dialogue, launched in 2010,

 

-having regard to the Constitution of Indonesia,

 

-having regard to the EU-Indonesia Partnership and Cooperation agreement, entered into force on 1 May 2014;

 

-having regard to the launch of talks about the EU-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (18 July 2016),

 

-having regard to the Joint statement between the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia and the European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice President of the European Commission at the 1st Ministerial Strategic Dialogue (8 April 2016),

 

-having regard to Articles 156 and 156 (a) of Indonesia’s Criminal Code prohibiting blasphemy, heresy and religious defamation,

 

– having regard to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) which Indonesia ratified in 2006,

 

– having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948,

 

– having regard to Rule 135 of its Rules of Procedure,

 

 

A. Whereas in the first Ministerial Strategic Dialogue (8 April 2016) the Foreign Minister of Indonesia and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice President of the European Commission jointly declared to “move the relationship to a new level of partnership” between the EU and Indonesia;

 

B. Whereas the dimension of human rights is an important part of the development of bilateral relations between the EU and Indonesia;

 

C. Whereas democracy, rule of law, human rights and dialogue with civil society organisations have always been an important part of the bilateral talks between the EU and Indonesia, and they have been also discussed in several ad hoc seminars, including the annual EU – Indonesia Human Rights Dialogue. launched in 2010;

 

D. Whereas the freedom to thought, the freedom to peacefully assembly and association, the freedom of religion, the right no to be arbitrary arrested or detained and the right no to be tortured are fundamental and inalienable freedoms and rights;

 

E. Whereas the respect of minorities and the protection of their rights is a core value and an essential part of democracy rule of law and human rights,

 

F. Whereas, as regards religious minorities, the Constitution of Indonesia, notably its article 29, states that “the State guarantees all persons the freedom of worship, each according to his/her own religion or belief”;

 

G. Whereas Indonesia’s blasphemy law, article 156a of the Indonesian criminal code, punishes deviations from the central tenets of the six officially recognized religions with up to five years in prison;

 

H. Whereas Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama was charged on November 16, 2016 in connection with a reference he made to a Quranic verse in late September;

 

I. Whereas, in Indonesia discrimination against minorities and LGBT people are still happening, despite the promises of the government;

 

J. Whereas, over the past decade, there have been several cases of repression of political dissent and the Government also frequently arrests and prosecutes Papuan protesters for peacefully exercising their rights to peaceful assembly and association and advocating independence or other political change

 

K. Whereas, over the past decade, Civil society has documented dozens of cases in which police, military, intelligence officers, and prison guards have used unnecessary or excessive force when dealing with Papuans

 

L. Whereas Hosea Yelmo and Ismael Alua are two activists with the pro-independence West Papuan National Committee who were detained along with hundreds of others during peaceful pro-independence demonstrations in the provinces of Papua and West Papua on December 19, 2016;

 

M. Whereas most of Indonesia’s political prisoners were convicted of makar, that is, rebellion or treason and many such prisoners have been sentenced to 10 years or more in prison

 

 

 

 

1. Is worried and concerned by the negative evolution of the situation of human rights in Indonesia, and especially by the last episodes involving growing repression against political dissidents, religious and gender minorities and against Hosea Yelmom Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama and Ismael Alua;

 

2. It’s worried by the ongoing armed conflict with the Free Papua Movement (OPM) and by the tensions heightened in Papua from February 2013, following a suspected OPM attack on Indonesian military forces that killed eight soldiers, apparently the worst act of violence against the military in the area in more than 10 years;

 

3. Strongly condemns any act of violence or terror, whatever the reason that inspire them and express condolences for the victims;

 

4. Strongly denounces, on the other side, that Indonesian security forces routinely fail to distinguish between violent acts and peaceful expression of political views;

 

5. Condemns the heavy-handed responses to peaceful activities have resulted in numerous human rights violations.

 

6. Is worried by the attitude of the Government, which denounced flag-raisings and other peaceful expressions of pro-independence sentiment in Papua as treasonous;

 

7. Regrets that Prosecutors have since filed charges of “makar” or treason against the activists and believes that those charges symbolize how the Indonesian government continues to stubbornly deny Papuans their rights of public assembly and expression;

 

8. Denounces the high risk that Yelmo and Alua will join the 37 other Papuan political prisoners currently behind bars;

 

9. Denounces that, in many cases, activists were tortured by police while in pretrial detention and some have faced mistreatment and were denied medical treatment, which is an inhuman and degrading treatment;

 

10. Is deeply worried by the tough implementation of the anti-blasphemy law, and especially for its tough effect on freedom of speech, expression and beliefs, rights enshrined in the Indonesian Constitution and in many other international agreements signed by Indonesia;

 

11. Condemns blasphemy charges recently brought against the governor of Indonesia’s capital city;

 

12. Denounces the fact that blasphemy law has been used to prosecute and imprison members of religious minorities and of traditional religions and that recent targets of the blasphemy law include three former leaders of the Gafatar religious community following the violent forced eviction of more than 7,000 members of the group from their homes on Kalimantan island earlier this year;

 

13. Calls on the Government of Indonesia to guarantee the freedom of belief and repealing the anti-blasphemy law and the similar provisions of the criminal code;

 

14. Deplores the use of vague criminal and penal code provisions to repress the freedom of expression, speech, religious and political beliefs as well as gender identity and sexuality;

15. Calls on the Government of Indonesia to avoid any possible collusion between civil servants and people who are spreading hate and violence in the country;

 

16. Calls on all the parties in the Indonesian Papua to restore a positive political dialogue and to avoid future escalation of violence in this area;

 

17. Remembers that the improving of the human rights situation in Indonesia, is a priority of the EU-Indonesia PCA and it will be crucial for a positive development of the bilateral relations;

 

18. Urges the Government of Indonesia to implement the reform of Justice and of the police in order to avoid future persecution or repression of dissidents and activists based only on political or religious belief ;

 

19.Urges the Indonesian government to make the release of all of Indonesia’s remaining political prisoners a political priority;

 

20.Urges a meaningful government response to both address the crimes of the past and to enact measures to prevent future abuses;

 

21. Instructs the EEAS to monitor closely the situation of human rights in Indonesia, and to report regularly on this issue;

 

22. Reminds that Indonesia is an important partner for the European Union, and that a deepening of the bilateral economic and trade ties should be accompanied by an improvement of the internal situation regarding human rights, including minority rights;

 

23. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, and to the government and parliament of Indonesia.