No Political Detainees In Indonesia

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - Coordinating minister for political, security and legal affairs Djoko Suyanto said there is no political detainee in Indonesia including in Papua.

"Who are now being detained are those who have violated the law according to the Criminal Code," he said when asked to confirm about the issue here on Wednesday.

Djoko Suyanto earlier received Amnesty International officials who had expressed concern over the government's efforts in overcoming Papuan problems.

Besides asking for the release of political detainees the AI officials had also urged the government to immediately implement the special autonomy law in Papua including the setting up of a human rights court and the commission for truth and reconciliation.

"I have told them that there is no political detainee in Papua except those who have violated the law according to the Criminal Code," Djoko said.

He said outside parties often categorized detainees using their own definitions. "They see them based upon their own views while we categorize them based on the existing law," he said.

According to the Amnesty International minimally 60 people have been detained in Papua and Maluku in connection with their peaceful pro-independence activities.

They referred among others to Filep Karma who has been detained because of his "prisoner of conscience" opinion. He has been sentenced to 15 years in jail in Abepura, Papua.(*)