Muninggar Sri Saraswati, Jakarta – Human rights activists have urged the government to release all Aceh civilians accused of involvement in the separatist group there after a peace deal is signed later this month.

The Indonesian Legal Aid and Human Rights Association (PBHI) and human rights watch Imparsial said on Wednesday the government should not exclude the civilians from amnesty, which will be granted as part of the peace agreement.

"There are many people who were tried for subversion as they were accused of supporting GAM but were eventually convicted of ordinary crimes," PBHI head Johnson Panjaitan said, referring to the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) rebel group.

He also drew attention to the fate of those who are still being prosecuted for alleged treason, as the draft peace agreement signed in Helsinki in mid-July did not address the matter.

According to PBHI data, there are over 2,500 prisoners and detainees, excluding those being imprisoned in West Java, who are linked to GAM. They were arrested after the 2000 humanitarian pause, and imprisoned in penitentiaries in Java and Aceh as well as police and military detention.

Many of the prisoners jailed in Aceh died during the Dec. 26 tsunami.

The government has said all political prisoners will be released two weeks after the peace agreement is signed on Aug. 15, but GAM members who are jailed for ordinary crimes will be exempt from the amnesty.

Data from the Indonesian Military shows there are around 1,300 GAM members serving detention in various prisons in Indonesia, including hundreds in the maximum security prison on Nusakambangan Island off Central Java.

The PBHI said most of the people who had been arrested for alleged involvement with GAM had been convicted of criminal offenses, including the possession of illegal arms and collection of illegal levies locally called Pajak Nanggroe to raise funds for their struggle.

"This means only a few GAM prisoners will walk free once the peace deal is signed," Johnson said.

Imparsial said the government needed to be wise in dealing with the issue, otherwise it would lead to new political tension.

Rachland Nashidik, Imparsial executive director, said many people had been imprisoned for their alleged link with GAM but in fact they had been promoting political and human rights in Aceh.

"The government must not grant them amnesty because this would justify the criminalization of freedom of expression. It would also mean that those who fell victim to the armed conflict are (called) guilty people," Rachland said.

Rachland suggested that the government release such convicts and apologize for their prosecution.

Johnson also asked the government to ensure the safety of GAM prisoners following their release. "Don't let them die on the streets," he said.

The government is completing arrangements in regard to the amnesty, including working on a time line, specifying the recipients and conditions and seeking legal advice.

The amnesty is expected to restore the political, economic and social rights of GAM members.