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TAPOL calls for the immediate release of detained political activists

10 May 2022

TAPOL urges the Indonesian Government to release Jefry Wenda, the spokesperson of the Papuan People’s Petition (Petisi Rakyat Papua, PRP) and others arrested today during a peaceful protest in Jayapura. Wenda was arrested along with several members of the West Papuan National Committee (Komite Nasional Papua Barat, KNPB) including Ones Suhuniap, Omizon Balingga and Imam Kogoya.

Press Release: AwasMIFEE! and TAPOL release report on planned Food Estate in West Papua

29 April 2022

Plans to establish 'Food Estates' were announced by the Indonesian government at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic because, it said, it wanted to ensure Indonesia's food security. But as AwasMIFEE! and TAPOL show in their report released today, 'Pandemic Power Grabs: Who benefits from Food Estates in West Papua?', these plans would seem to benefit agro-industrial conglomerates and oligarchs with close connections to figures in the government.

Sorong Six: Tortured Repeatedly, Transported Secretly

08 April 2022

"Sorong Enam: Disiksa Bertubi-tubi, Dipindahkan Sembunyi-Sembunyi (Sorong Six: Tortured Repeatedly, Transported Secretly)". This campaign video, by TAPOL, LBH Kaki Abu, and LBH Makassar, calls for the release of six political prisoners from Sorong, West Papua, who were subjected to torture and unfair trial. Three of the six detainees are still minors.

Defence witness testimony strengthens suspicions of wrongful arrest

06 April 2022

Testimony from two witnesses for the defence, presented by lawyers during the 5 April 2022 trial at the Makassar District Court and online, have strengthened suspicions that defendants MS and AY are the victims of wrongful arrest and were not involved in the murder of four Indonesian Army soldiers at the Kisor military post in South Aifat district, Maybrat regency on 2 September 2021.

TAPOL Statement on the designation of Haris and Fatia as Suspects and Intimidation of Amnesty International Indonesia

22 March 2022

Freedom of expression in Indonesia is not improving, and the situation is of increasing concern where the opinion being expressed is critical of the human rights situation of West Papuans.

The Torture of Children in Puncak Papua is Evidence that the State is Not Serious About Protecting Children in Papua

01 March 2022

The Advocacy Team for Human Rights in Papua (Tim Advokasi HAM untuk Papua) strongly condemns acts of persecution and torture of seven minors, causing one of them to die. Based on a timeline of events that we have verified, it is suspected that the deceased child was heavily persecuted and tortured by the military (TNI).

Free Leo Idjie, Lawyer in the Kisor and LK Cases in West Papua

24 January 2022

The criminalisati​​on of lawyers and activists in West Papua is happening again. This time the target is Leonardo Idjie, lawyer and human rights defender from LBH Kaki Abu (Kaki Abu Legal Aid Institute), Sorong, West Papua.

LK and Systemic State Violence in Papua

29 December 2021

TAPOL and Kaki Abu Legal Aid released a video entitled "LK dan Pusaran Kerasan di Papua (LK and Systemic State Violence in Papua)". This campaign video calls for the release of LK, a child accused of having broken the law (ABH) in Maybrat, #WestPapua, who was subjected to torture and forced to undergo an unfair trial.

Constitutional Court orders revisions of Omnibus law, but two-year grace period allows room for more exploitation

06 December 2021

On 25 November Indonesia’s Constitutional Court issued an order to the Government and parliament to change parts of the ‘Omnibus Law’ (UU Cipta Kerja). The Court also forbade the passing of any further implementing regulations and policies associated with the law in a two-year grace period. If the necessary changes are not made within two years, the Court ordered that the Omnibus Law would become “permanently unconstitutional”.

Friendship requires honesty: UK needs to raise human rights and democracy in Indonesia

15 November 2021

On Nov. 11, the UK Foreign Secretary, Liz Truss, visited Indonesia during a week-long trip to Southeast Asia. Truss’s outing happened in the context of the UK’s post-Brexit objectives of “tilting” towards the Indo-Pacific region.

TAPOL Statement regarding the attack against Veronica Koman’s family and situation of Human Rights Defenders in Indonesia

09 November 2021

TAPOL is deeply concerned about a series of escalating threats and attacks made against the family of prominent Indonesian human rights lawyer and defender, Veronica Koman in Jakarta. These threats and attacks indicate a worsening situation for human rights lawyers and defenders in Indonesia, with other prominent human rights defenders being subjected to police investigations.

TAPOL mourns loss of Max Stahl, legendary filmmaker who committed his life to East Timor

03 November 2021

TAPOL is sad to report the death of Max Stahl, the legendary journalist and filmmaker who will be remembered, above all, for filming the Santa Cruz massacre in East Timor on November 12, 1991.

Update on Victor Yeimo - Trial adjourned due to deteriorating health condition, delayed medical treatment, responses from the UN

21 September 2021

The political trial of Victor Yeimo was adjourned by the District Court of Jayapura on 31 August 2021 until he is declared physically fit by the hospital. On the same day, the Court also dismissed his pretrial motion, challenging his arrest and detention for violating criminal procedural law, on the grounds that the main trial had begun.

Job opening at TAPOL

01 September 2021

Campaigner, TAPOL September 2021 Position: Campaigner (UK-based)

Trial of Victor Yeimo, West Papuan Political Prisoner

24 August 2021

Today is the first day of the trial of West Papuan political leader Victor Yeimo, the international spokes-person of the West Papuan National Committee (Komite Nasional Papua Barat, KNPB) and the Papuan People's Petition (Petisi Rakyat Papua, PRP). Victor Yeimo was arrested on 9th May 2021 for his alleged role in the 2019 West Papua Uprising protests.

Committing Crimes Against Humanity is Not for Celebration

14 August 2021

TAPOL, ETAN and Watch Indonesia! strongly condemn President Joko Widodo’s decision to grant ‘Bintang Jasa Utama’, one the highest national awards, to Eurico Guterres on Thursday, 12 August 2021.

Perpetrators of military violence against civilians in West Papua must be held accountable and institutional racism properly addressed

29 July 2021

TAPOL strongly condemns the conduct of two airforce personnel who severely beat a disabled man, Steven Yadohamang, in Merauke, West Papua province, on 27 July 2021.

Unilateral renewal of Special Autonomy and arbitrary arrest of protesters in West Papua

16 July 2021

CIVICUS and TAPOL regret the revision and renewal of the Special Autonomy Law in West Papua (Papua and West Papua Provinces), which further strips critical aspects of decentralisation and autonomy for the region. We are also extremely concerned about the arbitrary arrest of people protesting the renewal and forcible disruptions of protests.

TAPOL mourns the passing of our inspirational founder Carmel Budiardjo

11 July 2021

Carmel Budiardjo, TAPOL’s founder and driving force for many decades, passed away peacefully on the morning of Saturday 10th July.

TAPOL Joins the Papuan People’s Petition

25 May 2021

TAPOL has today launched a briefing aimed at informing the international community about why West Papuan people are rejecting the extension and revision of the special autonomy law. In support of a call by West Papuan grassroots organisations, we have become part of the movement of civil society organisations associated with the Papuan People’s Petition (Petisi Rakyat Papua, PRP) as its 111th member.