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On 25th April 2020, more than a hundred people participated in a peaceful rally commemorating the declaration of the South Moluccan Republic seventy years ago. As a result, at least 23 people were arrested on that day. Most of them were released however, seven people are detained and have been charged with treason articles: 106, 110 and 160 of the Indonesian Criminal Code.
(London, 12 May 2020) TAPOL condemns the political decision to cancel the early release of five political prisoners that were arrested in Jakarta for demonstrating in favour of self-determination of West Papua.
The Ministry of Law and Human Rights implemented a new policy on prisoners as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic in early April, making provisions for the conditional release or assimilation of those who have served at least two-thirds of their sentences. The remaining five political prisoners have to date served eight months and 12 days of their sentences.
(London, 24 April 2020) TAPOL denounces the sentencing by the district court of Central Jakarta which found six political prisoners guilty of treason today and demands their immediate release. Paulus Suryanta Ginting, Ambrosius Mulait, Ariana Elopere, Dano Tabuni, and Charles Kossay were sentenced to nine months imprisonment, whereas Isay Wenda was sentenced to eight months imprisonment.
To organize or participate in a protest and to wave flags are internationally protected activities as freedom of expression and assembly are guaranteed under international law.
Sixty-three political prisoners detained on treason charges in Indonesia have made a joint urgent appeal to the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention and UN Special Rapporteurs.
The 63 political prisoners instructed Jennifer Robinson and Indonesian human rights lawyer Veronica Koman, with the support of human rights organisation TAPOL, to bring their cases to the UN. The urgent appeal demonstrates that all 63 prisoners are being arbitrarily and unlawfully detained, in violation of Indonesia’s international human rights obligations.
We appreciate steps taken by the Government to free prisoners, particularly child prisoners, through the assimilation system, conditional release, conditional holiday and holiday for those approaching their release date. However, we also urge the Government to apply this decision in a fair and non-discriminatory manner.
