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UPDATE 04/09/20: The seven activists and former prisoners of conscience have been released and have returned to their homes in Papua.  Amnesty International provided logistical support to help them return home.

Lawyers involved in the case expressed their appreciation for the help from Amnesty International and thanked all supporters who took action. Amnesty International will continue to monitor the situation in West Papua. 

 

 

Several peaceful Papuan activists have been convicted of treason and sentenced to up to 11 months in prison for their role in an anti-racism demonstration in August 2019.

One of the activists, Henky Hilapok, has recently been released but he is stuck in Balikpapan - over 3,000 kilometers from his home in Jayapura - with no way of getting back.

In Indonesia, the Attorney General’s Office is obligated to help all released prisoners return safely to their hometowns - but they have so far failed to help this peaceful activist, and other Papuan pro-independence activists.

Three other activists, Agus Kossay, Steven Itlay and Buchtar Tabuni are scheduled to be released in August. They must be released - and they must receive the help they need to return to their friends and families in West Papua.

Take action and call for the Indonesian authorities to release all the activists, and provide financial assistance so they can go home to their families.

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Ir. H. Joko Widodo, President Republic of Indonesia

 

Dear Mr. President,

I am writing to express my concern about Agus Kossay, Stevanus Itlay, Hengki Hilapok, and Buchtar Tabuni who were arrested last year for their participation in a peaceful anti-racism protest in Jayapura in August 2019.

Charged under article 106 of the Criminal Code, the Balikpapan District Court sentenced them to between ten and 11 months of imprisonment. The Papuan activists are considered prisoners of conscience, as they have been detained solely for peacefully exercising their human rights to freedom of expression and freedom of peaceful assembly.

I urge you to:

  • Immediately and unconditionally release all the activists, and
  • Provide financial assistance to return them to their hometowns once they are released, as required in Article 56 of Government Regulation (PP) No. 31/1999 about Guidance for Prisoners, which reads: “Prisoners who have completed their detention periods will get financial assistance for repatriation to their homes."

 

Sincerely,

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