Written Answers. - Human Rights in Indonesia.
Colm M. Hilliard
Ceist:
18
Mr. Hilliard
asked the
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs
the action, if any, the Government is taking through the EU and UN to encourage the Indonesian Government to implement the recommendations of the latest amnesty report; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[9630/95]
Ireland, together with its partners in the EU, follows closely and with concern the human rights situation in Indonesia, in particular, the difficulties faced by activists in the trade union movement to which the report in question refers.
By virtue of Indonesia's membership of the International Labour Organisation it has undertaken to give effect to principles laid down in the ILO Charter. These include undertakings that: workers and employers, without distinction whatsoever, shall have the right to establish and, subject only to rules of the organisation concerned, to join organisations of their own choosing without previous authorization; workers' and employers organisations shall have the right to draw up their constitution and rules, to elect their representatives in full freedom, to organise their administration and activities and to formulate their programmes. The public authorities shall refrain from any interference which would restrict this right or impede the lawful exercise thereof, and workers' and employers' organisations shall not be liable to be dissolved or suspended by administrative authority.
In its statement of 22 November 1994, the EU appealed to the Indonesian authorities to refrain from any restrictions of these rights and to take further steps towards establishing a general climate, including freedom of expression, in which labour organisations can work freely and independently.
In its statement to this year's session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, which took place in Geneva from January to March, the Presidency, speaking on behalf of the EU, expressed concern at the situation of trade union leaders in Indonesia. The statement highlighted, in particular, the case of Mr. Muchtar Pakpahan, leader of the officially unrecognised trade union Indonesian Prosperous Workers Union (SBSI) whose case is addressed in the Amnesty Report. Mr. Pakpahan was sentenced to three years imprisonment in November 1994 for allegedly inciting strikes and demonstrations which took place in the town of Medan in April 1994. His sentence, and that of his colleague Mr. Telambanua, was increased on appeal in January 1995.
The EU issued a statement on the disappointing result of his appeal in which it considered the sentencing of these trade unionists, without due respect to their rights to a defence, to be unjustified. It reiterated its request that the Indonesian Government take further steps towards creating a general climate in which trade union organisations can work freely and independently.
I understand that although Mr. Pakpahan has recently been released from prison this was for procedural reasons and is not a cause for any optimism.
With regard to the specific recommendations made in the Amnesty International report of 1 May 1995, I would fully support the call on the Government of Indonesia to release immediately and unconditionally any person imprisoned for their peaceful activities in support of workers' rights and to take all measures to protect the lives of trade unionists and labour activists in Indonesia.
I would also support the call on the Government of Indonesia to ratify and comply with International Labour Organisation Convention 87, concerning the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise and Convention 98 concerning the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining.
The report calls on the Indonesian Government to abolish the death penalty. As a State party to the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Ireland supports this call.
I will continue to follow the situation of trade unionists in Indonesia and to avail of every appropriate opportunity to raise our concerns about human rights with the Indonesian authorities.
