Aliansi Demokrasi untuk Papua (AlDP, Democratic Alliance) are releasing their new report, titled "Treason and Political Prisoners in the Land of Papua" on 26th July 2024. This report forms a joint research output with TAPOL, a human rights organisation based in the UK.
The launch event takes the form of a panel discussion on these issues. This discussion takes place both online and in-person, and included three different speakers: Prof. Dr. Melkias Hetharia, legal and human rights expert from Cenderawasih University, Jayapura, Latifah Anum Siregar, Director of AIDP, and Papang Hidayat, a human rights researcher. The discussion was moderated by Latifah Buswarimba Alhamid from AIDP.
In the making of the report, the writers' methodology included a literature review, a review on judicial decisions and interviews conducted with experts, lawyers and and several former political prisoners in Papua. The report contains 10 chapters which discuss various important topics: beginning with treason cases through the lenses of international human rights law; the history of the treason articles; the subjectivity in the use of treason articles in Papua; arbitrary arrests and detentions; evidence and the reasons behind convictions; the fulfillment of the rights of political prisoners and the torture that they have experienced; convictions that have been influenced by political, legal and conscientious aspects; obstacles to freedom of expression; treason accusations as a tool of repression; and closes with its conclusion and recommendations.
With the launching of this report, AIDP Director, Latifah Anum Siregar, expresses her hopes that "the government will respect and uphold rights for citizens for expression in forms of association, gathering and publishing their opinions to the public, as well as the fulfilment of basic rights for the indigenous communities"
"These conditions" continued Anum "are the way to remove stigma against civil society, particularly against Paupuans."
Also underlining these research points is Steve Alston, Chair of the Board of TAPOL, who says "The use of treason articles which are being targeted against civil society, particularly activists in West Papua due to their efforts fighting for their rights, including economic, social, cultural, and political rights, already shows censorship efforts and the failure of the state to practise democratic ideals, which really only serves to make peace efforts more remote than ever."
Receive your copy of the complete report on TAPOL's website or at the following link: s.id/LaporanALDPxTAPOL
Contact details
AlDP: aldp.papua@gmail.com
TAPOL: info@tapol.org