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

Cristian Dan Preda, Jeroen Lenaers, Agnieszka Kozłowska-Rajewicz, Krzysztof Hetman, Tomáš Zdechovský, Ivan Štefanec, Pavel Svoboda, Brian Hayes, Jaromír Štětina, Bogdan Brunon Wenta, Marijana Petir, Eduard Kukan, Tunne Kelam, Lefteris Christoforou, Ivana Maletić, Željana Zovko, Dubravka Šuica, Thomas Mann, Csaba Sógor, Luděk Niedermayer, Michaela Šojdrová, Therese Comodini Cachia, Joachim Zeller, Anna Záborská, Lorenzo Cesa, Elisabetta Gardini, József Nagy, Romana Tomc, Adam Szejnfeld, Ivica Tolić, Eva Paunova, Laima Liucija Andrikienė, Claude Rolin, Andrey Kovatchev, Jiří Pospíšil, Roberta Metsola, Deirdre Clune, Giovanni La Via, György Hölvényi, Lars Adaktusson on behalf of the PPE Group

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

B8‑0088/2017

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,

 

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

 

-   having regard to the 6th European Union-Indonesia Human Rights Dialogue of 28   June 2016,

 

-   having regard to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which Indonesia ratified in 2006,

 

-   having regard to the Rule 135 of its Rules of Procedure,

 

A.   whereas Indonesia is the world’s fourth most populous nation, the third largest democracy, the largest Muslim majority country with millions of followers of other beliefs, and a heterogeneous society comprising of 255 million citizens of various ethnicities, languages and cultures;

 

B.   whereas the relations between the EU and Indonesia, a G20 member, are strong; whereas the EU and Indonesia share the same values as regards human rights, governance and democracy;

 

C.   whereas at least 528 people, including children, were arrested on 19 December 2016 for coordinated peaceful political activities in cities across Indonesia; whereas after one day most of the people arrested were released without charge; whereas however Hosea Yeimo and Ismael Alua, two Papuan political activists, have been charged with “rebellion” (makar) under Articles 106 and 110 of the Indonesian Criminal Code;

 

D.  whereas Hosea Yeimo and Ismael Alua have been released on bail on 11 January 2017; whereas the legal proceedings of the case continue;

 

E.   whereas the Governor of Jakarta Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, better known as Ahok, is standing trial after being accused by some religious groups of insulting Islam in a campaign speech held in September 2016;

 

F.  whereas Ahok has said: “So it can be that in your subconscious that you, ladies and gentlemen, you can’t vote for me because you’ve been lied to, with Surat Almaidah 51 and the like. That’s your right. If you feel you can’t vote for me because you fear you’ll go to hell, because you’ve been lied to, no worries. That’s your personal call”;

 

G.   whereas under Presidential Decree 1/PNPS/1965 on the Prevention of “Religious Abuse and/or Defamation”, commonly known in Indonesia as the blasphemy law (Undang-Undang Penodaan Agama) people may be imprisoned for “defamation” for as long as five years;

 

1.   Welcomes Indonesia’s insights on countering-violent extremism and its experience based on the promotion of a tolerant society and interfaith dialogues; stresses the need to be attentive to persons belonging to minorities and vulnerable groups, ensuring non-discrimination in their exercise of the freedoms of religion or belief, opinion, expression, association and peaceful assembly;

 

2.  Welcomes the continued European Union-Indonesia Human Rights Dialogue, established in 2010; stresses that the EU and Indonesia agreed to pursue concrete cooperation projects in a wide range of areas, including access to justice and penal policy, the countering of violent extremism, the rights of migrants, business and human rights, or the rights of persons with disabilities, as well as persons belonging to minorities and vulnerable groups;

 

3.   Welcomes the release on bail of Hosea Yeimo and Ismael Alua on 11 January 2017; notes that the legal proceedings of the case will continue; calls on the Delegation of the EU to Indonesia to follow these legal proceedings;

 

4.   Expresses its deep concern about the blasphemy case against Ahok; stresses that freedom of expression, and freedom of thought, conscience or religion, are protected under international human rights law;

 

5.   Calls for the repeal of all provisions set out in laws and regulations which impose restrictions on the right to freedom of expression and thought, conscience and religion which go beyond those permitted under international human rights law, or amend such provisions to bring them into compliance with Indonesia’s international human rights obligations; calls on the EU to engage in repealing such provisions;

 

6.   Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Council, the Commission, and to the Government and the Parliament of Indonesia.