The AWPA condemns the arrests of 65 KNPB and student activists in Sentani and 4 in Nabire on the 13 June.

Joe Collins of AWPA said, "the security forces are doing everything possible to stifle any raising of awareness of the issue of West Papua by cracking down on peaceful rallies and in this case arresting people for simply handing out leaflets about the upcoming rally planned for the 15 June".

Local media (suarapapua.com) has reported the arrests. Previously 31 KNPB activists were arrested in Jayapura on Friday the 10 June. Although the activists have been released a number were injured by being hit with canes.

In relation to the 31 activists arrest on the 10 June the Director of Manokwari's LP3BH (Institute for Research, Study and Development of Legal Aid) reported to local media Jubi that "The deeds of the Jayapura police chief clearly violates the principles of respect for human rights set out in the Criminal Procedure Code and Law No. 39 of 1999 on Human Rights and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights which has been ratified by the Government of Indonesia", (google translate Jubi 13 June).

Joe Collins of AWPA said, it is hoped that the governments in the region (the MSG leaders are meeting in Fiji) are noting the mass arrests in West Papua and will raise concerns with Jakarta about the abuses in West Papua and that they will urge Jakarta to allow rallies like the one planned for the 15 June to go ahead peacefully.

Source: http://awpasydneynews.blogspot.com.au/2016/06/media-release-intimidation-of-knpb-and.html