Yogyakarta – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo grants clemency for Eva Susanti Bande, a human rights activist that has been jailed for defending farmers in Luwuk, South Sulawesi.

In a Human Rights Day celebration event at the Yogyakarta Presidential Palace, Jokowi said that Eva would be released before the National Women's Day that fell on Dec. 22. "[God willing] by the commemoration of Women's Day, the administration for the clemency will be completed," said Jokowi on Tuesday. Jokowi said the clemency is now pending on the recommendation of the Supreme Court.

Eva was convicted of instigation and vandalism for her involvement in a rally with a group of farmers in Banggai, Central Sulawesi, in 2010, against an oil palm plantation.

Luwuk District Court sentenced her to four years in prison and her appeal was rejected by the Supreme Court last year. During his presidential campaign, Jokowi promised to release Eva.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2014/12/10/jokowi-grants-clemency-human-rights-activist.html