Indonesia, West Papua – President Prabowo Subianto's decision to grant amnesty to six political prisoners from West Papua and Maluku ahead of Indonesia's 80th Independence Day has drawn mixed reactions from human rights organisations, with advocates welcoming the releases while questioning the limited scope and timing of the presidential pardons.
The amnesty comes amid ongoing tensions in West Papua, where human rights organisations have documented increasing military operations, civilian casualties, and restrictions on civil society. Over 97,000 indigenous Papuans remain internally displaced due to armed conflict, according to recent reports. While any release of political prisoners represents progress, advocates stress that lasting peace requires addressing underlying grievances about autonomy, human rights, and development in Indonesia's easternmost provinces.
The amnesty, announced in early August 2025, covers six individuals convicted of unarmed treason charges, including five Papuans and one person from Ambon. However, human rights lawyers are raising serious questions about whether this constitutes genuine amnesty or simply delayed implementation of existing parole rights, as most of the convicts were already eligible for conditional release under existing regulations, having served more than two-thirds of their sentences.
The six amnesty recipients include:
- Viktor Makamuke from Sorong, Southwest Papua (2.5-year sentence for treason)
- Alex Bless from Maybrat, Southwest Papua (4-year sentence)
- Yance Kambuaya from Maybrat, Southwest Papua (5-year sentence)
- Adolof Nauw from Maybrat, Southwest Papua (4-year sentence)
- Hilkia Isir from Maybrat, Southwest Papua (4-year sentence)
- Josephien Tanasale from Ambon (2.5-year sentence)
Hundreds of political prisoners remain
While the government has framed the amnesty as part of a broader initiative covering 1,178 prisoners nationwide, human rights advocates emphasize that numerous political prisoners with longer sentences remain incarcerated without consideration for clemency.
Leonardo Ijie, Director of the Legal Aid Institution Karya Kita Anak Budaya (LBH Kaki Abu), highlighted the inconsistent application of amnesty criteria: "There are currently seven Papuan prisoners in Makassar with sentences ranging from 12 to 14 years who should have been prioritised if the government was serious about addressing injustice. He cited specific cases, including those of Maikel Yaam, Robianus Yaam, and Amos KY (each serving 20-year sentences), August Yaam, Maklon Same, and Yakobus Worait (each serving 18-year sentences), and Karel at Sorong Prison (sentenced to death).
Broader context of mass clemency
The amnesty is part of a larger clemency initiative covering 1,178 prisoners, including 1,017 drug-related offenders, 6 treason cases, 4 cases involving insults to the head of state, and 150 prisoners with special needs (including 78 with mental health conditions). Notably, the amnesty also covered Hasto Kristiyanto, Secretary-General of the PDI Perjuangan party, who was serving a 3.5-year sentence for bribery.
Human rights organisations acknowledge the symbolic importance of any political prisoner releases, but underlined the urgent need for a comprehensive justice reform instead of an amnesty campaign that mainly serves political purposes. The timing of the amnesty, coinciding with Indonesia's Independence Day celebrations, reinforces concerns about the political rather than humanitarian motivations behind the decision.
Calls for comprehensive review
Human rights advocates are calling for a systematic review of all political prisoners, particularly those serving lengthy sentences for non-violent offenses. They also stressed the need for transparent criteria for amnesty decisions based on justice rather than political considerations. Moreover, they called upon Indonesian authorities to adhere to the regular implementation of existing parole and remission rights without delays.